2025 is set to be an exciting year for Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruises. Four ships will sail in the region from May to September, visiting historic ports and magnificent glaciers throughout the Last Frontier.

If you’re considering an Alaska cruise in 2025, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of each ship sailing to the region. Not all Royal Caribbean cruise ships are created equal, after all. Understanding the key differences between the vessels will help you pick the best ship for your cruise vacation.

Let’s jump in and compare the four Royal Caribbean cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2025.

Quantum of the Seas

Homeport: Seattle, Washington (Monday departures)
Ports: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Skagway

Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in 2025 for her fourth consecutive cruise season in the region, offering 7-night roundtrip itineraries from Seattle. Each week, itineraries visit three Alaska cruise ports along with a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. One shorter, 5-night itinerary is offered in May.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Most itineraries include a scenic sailing to Dawes Glacier. To get there, passengers will transit through the stunning Endicott Arm fjord.

As a Quantum Class ship, Quantum of the Seas boasts Royal Caribbean’s most popular amenities and attractions, making the vessel an excellent choice for families.

Adults will love features like the thermal suite—perfect for staying warm in chilly Alaska—along with technology-focused production shows in the Two70 venue.

Kids, on the other hand, can enjoy thrilling attractions like the indoor skydiving simulator, rock climbing wall, and bumper cars.

Quantum of the Seas is well-appointed with pool options for a cold-weather cruise, too. Aside from an outdoor pool is an indoor pool for guests of all ages, as well as an indoor pool in the adults-only Solarium.

Anthem of the Seas

Homeport: Seattle, Washington (Friday departures)
Ports: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Skagway

Anthem of the Seas will make her Alaska debut in 2025, marking the first Alaska cruise season for the vessel. Like Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas will also sail from Seattle on 7-night roundtrip itineraries.

Related: Anthem of the Seas Guide & Review

Itineraries are nearly identical to those offered on Quantum of the Seas. Guests hoping to visit Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier should double check their itinerary choice, however, as not all sailings include a glacier viewing day.

Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas are both Quantum Class vessels, and passengers will notice little variation between the two ships. It’s worth noting that Anthem of the Seas features a Broadway show—We Will Rock You—and offers Johnny Rockets on the pool deck instead of Quantum’s Asian-inspired Noodle Shop.

Serenade of the Seas

Homeport: Vancouver, British Columbia (Sunday departures)
Ports: Inside Passage (Canada), Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Skagway

The third ship sailing to Alaska in 2025 is Serenade of the Seas, departing every Sunday on roundtrip cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Embarking an Alaska cruise in Vancouver gives guests the opportunity to sail through Canada’s Inside Passage. As the ship departs the city, guests can enjoy mountain landscapes surrounding both sides of the ship. This provides a sneak peek into the remarkable scenery yet to come.

Related: All about Radiance Class cruise ships

7-night itineraries on Serenade of the Seas visit four ports along with a visit to Tracy Arm Fjord, home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Most port visits are to common destinations like Juneau and Ketchikan, but some itineraries include visits to less-frequented ports, such as Haines, Alaska and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Serenade of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship, which makes her significantly smaller in size and capacity compared to Quantum and Anthem of the Seas.

The core Royal Caribbean features, including the Windjammer buffet, Schooner Bar, and Chops Grille, are still onboard, but there are fewer amenities compared to the fleet’s newer ships.

Related: I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each

Because of this, families may not find as many options for kids onboard. That being said, there are still amenities like a rock climbing wall, mini golf court, and a kid-friendly splash area. The only indoor pool on Serenade of the Seas is found in the adults-only Solarium, but this area is open for family swimming during select hours.

Radiance of the Seas

Homeports: Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska (Friday departures)
Ports: Inside Passage (Canada), Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka

Those hoping to visit Alaska’s interior before or after their cruise should choose a sailing on Radiance of the Seas. The ship will offer one-way itineraries in 2025, departing from Vancouver and ending in Seward, Alaska (and vice versa).

Of all Royal Caribbean’s Alaska itineraries, those on Radiance of the Seas are the most unique.

Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

Unlike itineraries from Seattle, Radiance of the Seas’ itineraries include four, not three, port stops in Alaska. It’s possible, for example, to visit Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point or Ketchikan on a 7-night cruise. Plus, most itineraries include a scenic glacier viewing day of Hubbard Glacier, and visiting this spectacular destination is only possible on Radiance of the Seas.

Another benefit of one-way cruises is the chance to explore Alaska’s interior. Because cruises start or end in Seward, passengers are just a stone’s throw away from destinations like Denali National Park and Preserve and Talkeetna. Royal Caribbean offers Cruisetours to these destinations, which can be added to the start or end of most one-way itineraries.

Like Serenade of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas lacks Royal Caribbean’s newest amenities and onboard thrills. The layout and experience is similar to that of Serenade, but Radiance has an additional specialty dining venue, with Brazilian cuisine available at Samba Grill.

Deciding between a Quantum Class and Radiance Class ship for Alaska

One of the most important choices a prospective cruiser can make when planning an Alaska cruise is deciding between a Quantum Class and Radiance Class ship. Despite both classes being part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet, they are quite different from one another.

If you value options and convenience, pick a Quantum Class ship

It’s hard to go wrong with a Quantum Class cruise ship. These mega-ships are filled to the brim with restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, pools, and onboard thrills. Whether it’s a game of laser tag in the SeaPlex or a surfing lesson on the FlowRider, these ships provide endless ways to have fun for guests of all ages.

Related: 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship

Beyond thrills, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas offer state-of-the-art amenities. The vessels are more modern than Radiance Class ships, having been launched over ten years after the latter.

Interior cabins, for instance, feature a virtual balcony, which displays a floor-to-ceiling live video feed of the view outside the ship. Passengers won’t want to miss the North Star, either, which is an observation pod that takes guests 300 feet above sea level. There’s no better way to witness Alaska’s beauty onboard!

Because Quantum Class ships depart from Seattle instead of Vancouver, travel times are typically more convenient for American travelers, as there are numerous direct flights to Seattle available from around the United States.

If you value in-depth itineraries and a low-key vibe, sail on a Radiance Class ship

Radiance Class ships may lack the bells and whistles of the Quantum Class ships sailing to Alaska, but that doesn’t mean they should be overlooked. Some passengers prefer the laid-back atmosphere found on these ships, along with the Alaska-intensive itineraries offered.

Calling Serenade and Radiance of the Seas small is relative—at maximum capacity, both ships can accommodate around 2,500 passengers. Unlike Quantum Class ships, you won’t find skydiving simulators and robotic bartenders onboard, but you can rest assured that there are more than enough activities, bars, and restaurants to stay satisfied.

Related: Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?

The main reason to book a Radiance Class ship to Alaska is for the itinerary. Departing from Vancouver on a Radiance Class ship means passengers can enjoy a more in-depth itinerary once in Alaska. For those interested in one-way cruises, a Radiance Class ship is the only option.

Outside of the itinerary, these ships are renowned for their abundance of windows. Over three acres of glass are found throughout both Serenade and Radiance of the Seas, meaning you’re never far from a panoramic view of Alaska’s beauty.

Any ship is sure to provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience

At the end of the day, any of the four ships sailing to Alaska in 2025 will make for a memorable vacation.

Most Alaska itineraries are relatively similar to one another regardless of the ship, so you can visit attractions like Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau or the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway regardless of the ship you choose.

Nonetheless, it’s important to know the key differences between Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas before choosing one over another. Knowing what to expect helps ensure your vacation is off to a fantastic start once you board the ship on embarkation day and set sail to Alaska.

An Alaska cruise is one of the most popular Royal Caribbean vacations available. You'll get to see magnificent natural beauty and experience local culture, and there's simply nothing like it in the world.

But you need to have the right approach before booking an Alaska cruise, because there are a number of factors to consider: itineraries, best time of year, costs, and destinations your ship will visit.

We've come up with a comprehensive guide that has everything you need to know about cruising to Alaska to ensure you have a perfect adventure.

On This Page

• Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Seasonal Weather, Wildlife, and Pricing
• Royal Caribbean Ships to Alaska: Features & Why Pick Each
• Alaska Cruise Ports: Must-Visit Destinations
• Alaska Cruise Itineraries: Sailing The Inside Passage
• Alaska Shore Excursions: Glacier Tours, Wildlife Encounters & More
• Alaska Cruise Tours: Land & Rail Packages
• Alaska Cruise Cost: Prices Vary Depending On Time Of Year and Ship
• Alaska Cruise Tips for the Perfect Experience

Best Time to Cruise Alaska: Seasonal Weather, Wildlife, and Pricing

The Alaska cruise season runs between April and October, with each month having advantages and disadvantages. 

While there is no best time to cruise to Alaska, knowing what to expect in terms of weather, wildlife, and activities is helpful before booking your cruise or shore excursion.

Cruising to Alaska in the early season, April and May, brings lower crowds and prices. Expect to see daily temperatures with highs in the mid 50s and lows around 40 degrees. Less rain is expected during the early season, as April, May, and June are among the driest months of the year in Alaska. (However, this is Alaska, so don’t forget to pack a rain jacket!). Daylight hours will increase each day leading up to the summer solstice, with daylight hours from 4AM to 10PM in late May.

Alaska’s peak cruise season is from mid-June to August, coinciding with the school vacation schedule. During the summer, visitors can expect to see the warmest temperatures and most hours of daylight. More crowds are to be expected during the summer, both onboard and in port.

Make sure you book shore excursions early when cruising to Alaska to ensure tours do not sell out.

The fall shoulder season in Alaska is during the month of September. As days become shorter and temperatures cool down, cruise crowds and prices tend to be lower. In fact, September is the cheapest month for an Alaska cruise.

Wildlife is harder to spot during the fall and rainier weather is likely. That being said, it’s possible (though not guaranteed) to see Alaska’s northern lights in September, which is a plus for those planning an Alaska cruise in the fall.

The key is to prioritize if weather, crowds, or price is the most important to you.

Royal Caribbean Ships to Alaska: Features & Why Pick Each

Royal Caribbean sends 4 cruise ships to Alaska each summer, with each ship offering a different layout, amenities, dining options, entertainment, and stateroom options. Some of Royal Caribbean’s smallest and largest cruise ships sail to Alaska, so it’s important to consider which ship works best for you before booking an Alaska cruise.

The following ships will sail to Alaska in 2025:

• Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class)
• Quantum of the Seas (Quantum Class)
• Radiance of the Seas (Radiance Class)
• Serenade of the Seas (Radiance Class)

The following ships will sail to Alaska in 2026:

• Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class)
• Anthem of the Seas (Quantum Class)
• Voyager of the Seas (Voyager Class)
• Serenade of the Seas (Radiance Class)

Both the most technologically advanced, large Quantum Class ships and the smaller, more traditional Radiance Class ships will offer a wonderful Alaska cruise experience. 

Most ships Royal Caribbean sends to Alaska offer plenty of indoor features, meaning the ship can be enjoyed in all types of weather. From each ship’s enclosed, temperature-controlled Solariums to the indoor pools on Quantum Class ships, guests can enjoy their ship even in the chilliest of temperatures.

Quantum Class ships can be a great choice for families, as they feature the SeaPlex, an indoor sports court and arcade where guests can enjoy activities like bumper cars, circus school, rollerblading, basketball, volleyball, and more. They also feature RipCord by iFLY, an indoor skydiving simulator, and the North Star, a 360 degree observation pod taking guests 300 feet above sea level.

Radiance Class ships offer a more traditional cruising experience. While there are still activities for guests of all ages onboard, there are less options overall for dining, staterooms, entertainment, etc. Smaller cruise ships offer more itinerary options in Alaska, though, visiting destinations such as Haines, Icy Strait Point, and Hubbard Glacier.

Alaska Cruise Ports: Must-Visit Destinations

Cruises to Alaska visit ports primarily along the Inside Passage, visiting small, picturesque towns, some of which are inaccessible by road.

Juneau is the most commonly visited Alaska cruise port and state capital. It is the largest town visited in Alaska on a cruise and offers the most excursion options of any Alaska port. 

Activity highlights in Juneau include whale watching, exploring Mendenhall Glacier, and riding the Goldbelt Tramway up Mount Roberts. Don’t forget to taste local seafood, either, with Juneau’s king crabs, salmon, and halibut among the best in the world.

Ketchikan, the southernmost Alaska cruise port, is a quaint waterfront town surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The town’s gold rush history alongside its Native culture offers a chance for visitors to experience Alaska through history.

Walking through Creek Street can give insights into the town’s historic red light district, and visiting the Saxman Totem Park provides a lesson on the Native Tlingit peoples’ culture and traditions. Kayaking, hiking, the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, and walking through downtown are all great options for a day in Ketchikan as well.

Skagway is further north in Alaska’s Inside Passage and, while small, is filled with Alaska's gold rush history.

Located on the Lynn Canal, panoramic vistas surround Skagway and the town is a gateway into Canada’s Yukon Territory. Many passengers choose to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, taking visitors through a mountain pass once climbed by those hoping to strike it rich in the gold-rush era.

Others may choose to cross the border into Canada, kayak the Lynn Canal, or rent a scooter and explore Skagway on their own.

Sitka is home to a blend of American, Tlingit, and Russian influences and was once the capital of Russian Alaska.

A visit to the Baranof Castle State Historic Site is an option for spending the day in Sitka, which was where the formal transfer ceremony of Alaska from Russia to the United States took place. Strolling along the forest at the Sitka National Historical Park is a popular activity, too, which preserves the site of a battle between the Tlingit people and Russian traders.

Downtown Sitka is a charming place to walk around, where you can view the city’s cultural influences on every street.

Icy Strait Point, while less commonly visited on an Alaska cruise, offers a chance to get closer with nature in a tranquil environment. The port, near the town of Hoonah, is Alaskan Native owned-and-operated, founded by the Huna Tlingit Native Alaskans in 2004.

Getting close to nature and wildlife is recommended while in Icy Strait Point, with whale watching and ziplining popular activities to book. Cultural excursions are another option, where guests can learn more about the Huna Tlingit people through song and dance at Icy Strait Point’s Native Heritage Center Theater.

Haines, Alaska is a relatively new port for Royal Caribbean cruises to visit. Located on the way to Skagway along the Chilkoot Inlet, Haines is a small port accommodating just one large cruise ship at a time. 

Kayaking, hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing are all popular activities in Haines. Flightseeing tours can be booked from Haines to visit sights like Glacier Bay, one of the most beautiful glaciers in Alaska.

Victoria, British Columbia is a port visited on Alaska cruises from Seattle. While in Canada and not Alaska, Victoria still offers an array of landscapes and culture to explore. Visiting the Butchart Gardens is a popular destination in Victoria, where visitors can wander among 55 acres of floral display that date back to 1904.

Alaska Cruise Itineraries: Sailing The Inside Passage

There is no “perfect” itinerary for an Alaska cruise, and one itinerary is not inherently better than another.

While cruise ports do differ in history, local attractions, and size, many ports offer the same type of excursions to book. Activities like whale watching, kayaking, nature walks, gold rush towns, museums, and food tours are available in nearly every cruise port.

Likewise, every Alaska cruise will sail through the Inside Passage, meaning you won’t miss the state’s beautiful scenery on any itinerary. Oftentimes it’s just as enjoyable sitting on the pool deck and watching Alaska’s scenery pass by as it is to explore the ports you visit!

Being flexible on an Alaska cruise is important, especially when it comes to your cruise itinerary. High seas and storms can change your port stops at the last minute. Oftentimes another port is visited in place of your original destination. If this happens, be flexible! You may end up enjoying the replacement port even more than you would have enjoyed the original itinerary.

Alaska Shore Excursions: Glacier Tours, Wildlife Encounters & More

An Alaska shore excursion will allow you to explore what each of the ports have to offer, including taking in the natural beauty of this part of the world.

Alaska cruises tend to favor outdoor activities, whether getting active on a hike or taking a relaxing canoe ride down a river. Exploring the state’s mountains, glaciers, trails, and lakes is a fantastic way to spend a day in port, although choosing the best tour to book can be a tough decision.

Whale watching tours are one of the most popular shore excursions to book on an Alaskan cruise, as many visitors hope to catch a glimpse of some of the largest mammals on Earth. A variety of whales are able to be spotted on an Alaska cruise, including grey whales, killer whales (orcas), and humpback whales.

Certain ports, such as Juneau and Icy Strait Point, tend to offer better whale watching opportunities than other Alaska cruise ports.

Be sure to read our whale watching guide before booking your whale watching excursion to ensure you book it at the right port and time of year.

Visiting glaciers is another recommended activity on an Alaska cruise. Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is the most easily accessible glacier for cruise passengers, where visitors can view the glacier from easy walking trails and visit the Nugget Falls waterfall. Most cruise itineraries to Alaska will include a scenic cruising day at a glacier as well, such as Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier or Hubbard Glacier.

Active cruisers will enjoy kayaking through Alaska’s fjords and lakes, hiking on glaciers, and biking through the rainforest. Magnificent scenery can be viewed on day hikes up Alaska’s dramatic mountain peaks or when paddling a kayak near glaciers.

Animal lovers are in luck on an Alaska cruise, too, as they can choose from a plethora of wildlife-viewing excursions. Outside of whale watching tours, cruisers can visit the Fortress of the Bear to observe Alaska’s black bears, the Sitka Raptor Center to learn about the state’s birds of prey, and wildlife cruises during which seals, sea otters, salmon, and bald eagles may be spotted. Dog lovers will enjoy learning about dog mushing, Alaska’s state sport, and go dog sledding on top of a glacier!

Other popular excursion options on an Alaska cruise include:

• Salmon bakes
• Cultural tours to learn about Alaska’s Native Tlingit people
• Ziplining through the rainforest
• Rafting
• Fishing
• Walking around historic towns
• Relaxing at restaurants and saloons

Alaska Cruise Tours: Land & Rail Packages

In addition to a 7-night Alaska cruise, you can extend your trip with a land-based tour.

Known as pre or post-sailing Cruisetours, these extended trips can range between 9 and 13 nights, including the 7-night cruise. These land tours are arguably the best way to see Alaska's interior and the most popular destinations.

Highlights of a Cruisetour include visiting Alaska’s biggest city of Anchorage, going back in time at a former gold mining boomtown, traveling by train on the scenic Wilderness Express, or marveling at the unbelievably high mountain peaks of Denali National Park.

Cruisetours in Canada are also offered, which feature a comfortable overnight train ride through the Rocky Mountains and visits to Jasper and Banff National Parks, including an overnight stay at Lake Louise.

While Alaska’s Inside Passage provides awe-inspiring views of Alaska’s fjords, glaciers, and mountains,  cruisetours offer the opportunity to see more of Alaska or Canada, which you can book before or after your one-way cruise in Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Cost: Prices Vary Depending On Time Of Year and Ship

Your budget for an Alaska cruise can affect your ship choice, sailing date, stateroom category, excursion options, and onboard add-ons. Knowing how much Alaska cruises costs in advance is helpful to ensure you can budget and save for such an incredible vacation.

Cruise fares to Alaska are dynamic, with prices constantly shifting based on demand. The shoulder seasons of May and September will see the lowest prices whereas June, July, and August see the highest cruise fares.

A 7-night cruise for two adults in an oceanview stateroom on Serenade of the Seas in July may be around $2200 whereas the same cruise in September can be around $1600. Newer ships, such as Ovation of the Seas, will often be priced $300-500 more expensive than smaller ships on a similar itinerary.

Newer cruise ships have more balcony staterooms available, though, so balcony staterooms on ships like Quantum of the Seas are not usually significantly more expensive than interior or oceanview cabins.

As smaller ships like Radiance of the Seas have far fewer balconies available, booking a balcony stateroom on a small ship can be much more expensive than other cabins.

Shore excursion prices can quickly add up while on an Alaska cruise. While booking early will help lock in a low price, some Alaska shore excursions are simply more expensive than others. Activities like helicopter tours, luxury whale watching, and dogsledding can easily cost a few hundred dollars per person.

Exploring ports through independent tour operators or on your own is another option. All Alaska cruise ports have complimentary attractions and nature activities right near where the ship docks, so it’s not always necessary to book an excursion.

Alaska Cruise Tips for the Perfect Experience

Arrive a day or two before your cruise

Our first Alaska cruise tip is if you're flying to your cruise port, make sure to fly the day before your cruise begins. Airline delays are common, and you don't want to miss your cruise because of a canceled or delayed flight! 

Spending the night at a hotel in Seattle or Vancouver before your cruise can help ensure your vacation is off to a great start.

Spend extra for travel insurance 

In addition to booking travel, we recommend purchasing travel insurance before your cruise. Travel insurance can protect you in case of any unexpected travel delays or medical emergencies during the sailing. While most travelers who purchase travel insurance won't end up using it, you will definitely be happy to have it if you need it!

You can purchase a travel insurance plan directly through Royal Caribbean upon booking or through an outsider provider. If you travel frequently, we recommend an annual travel insurance plan that covers you all year round.

Pack in layers

Your Alaska cruise packing list should focus on layers, as the weather can change rapidly… and several times per day!

Having the following layers is recommended, especially on port days:

• Base layer: t-shirt, jeans, yoga pants
• Warm layer: fleece, down jacket, sweater, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt
• Waterproof layer: thin waterproof jacket

This approach provides a lot of versatility, and you can even come up with some good outfit ideas when you start mixing and matching.

Do Royal Caribbean's online check-in

Check in online 45 days prior to your cruise via Royal Caribbean's website or the Royal Caribbean app. The earlier you check in, the better chance you have at selecting an early boarding time at the cruise terminal. Getting onboard early means more time to enjoy your vacation!

Once onboard your cruise, be sure to complete Royal Caribbean's eMuster safety drill as soon as possible. This safety drill consists of three parts:

• Watching a lifejacket demonstration video on the Royal Caribbean app
• Listening to the emergency horn sound on the Royal Caribbean app
• Visiting your muster station on the ship to confirm you have completed the muster drill

Every guest must complete the eMuster drill before your cruise ship can depart, and getting it done quickly on embarkation day is recommended.

The size of your ship matters, especially if you have kids

Most people going on an Alaska cruise are most interested in the destinations, with the ship choice a secondary consideration. Given the long hours spent in port, having a ton of activities or whizz-bang features may not be as important.

However, families with kids are always going to appreciate having more options available to them, especially on sea days.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program provides exclusive benefits at sea, but it also entitles members special offers while on land.

Most cruise lines offer loyalty programs, but the Crown & Anchor Society is among the most enticing. With onboard benefits like complimentary drinks, a private lounge, and free wifi at higher tiers, the loyalty program is undeniably useful while on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Most cruisers know they can utilize Crown & Anchor Society benefits onboard, but did you know there are also a variety of benefits to use on land? Even if you’re not on a cruise ship, you may be able to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s partnerships with hotels, car rental services, and airlines to save money on an upcoming vacation.

If you're cruising often and earning loyalty points faster, you could take advantage of your benefits even when you're not cruising.

Here’s a list of Royal Caribbean’s partnerships you should know about in order to make the most of your Crown & Anchor Society benefits.

First, Royal Caribbean’s partnership with MGM Rewards provides perks and savings at select resorts

Planning an upcoming trip to Las Vegas or another casino destination? Don’t forget to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s partnership with MGM Rewards.

MGM Rewards is the loyalty program of MGM Resorts, and the program allows members to receive perks at select MGM Rewards Destinations. Crown & Anchor Society members can take advantage of a status matching program, entitling them to MGM Rewards benefits even if it’s their first time staying at an MGM Rewards property.

What are the benefits of MGM Rewards?

Three MGM Rewards tiers are available to Crown & Anchor Society members: Sapphire, Pearl, and Gold.

Gold members in the Crown & Anchor Society can match their status to MGM Rewards’ Sapphire status, the lowest tier in the loyalty program. Benefits in this tier include a dedicated reservations line, member-only offers to MGM Rewards Destinations and partners, and discounts on hotel stays, retail stores, entertainment and sporting events, and Avis car rental rates.

Related: How do Royal Caribbean and MGM Resorts shared benefits work?

Platinum members in the Crown & Anchor Society are matched to MGM Rewards’ Pearl status. In addition to receiving all Sapphire Tier perks, Pearl members also receive invitations to member-only events, complimentary tickets to select MGM Rewards concerts in Las Vegas, complimentary self-parking, and no expiration of MGM Rewards Points and Slot Dollars, among other perks.

Those with higher status in the Crown & Anchor Society—Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club—are matched to MGM Rewards’ Gold Tier. In addition to Sapphire and Pearl Tier benefits, Gold benefits also include an expedited reservations line, tier appreciation events, VIP line access to select nightclubs in Las Vegas, a waived resort fee when booking direct, enhanced room upon check-in, and complimentary valet parking at participating locations.

The most lucrative benefits could save Crown & Anchor Society members hundreds of dollars during a stay at an MGM Rewards Destination. Resort fees, for instance, can cost around $50 per night, but the fee is waived for those with Emerald status and above.

A full list of benefits for each tier can be found here.

How do you status match to MGM Rewards from Royal Caribbean?

To match your Crown & Anchor Society status to MGM Rewards, members should first create an MGM Rewards account online.

Once the account has been created, contact MGM Rewards through the Member Services number at 1-866-761-7111. You will be asked to provide your Crown & Anchor Society number, at which point MGM Rewards will confirm the information and match your status to the applicable MGM Rewards tier.

Alternatively, those near an MGM Rewards location can do this step in person.

Where are MGM Rewards Destinations?

The majority of participating MGM Rewards Destinations are in Las Vegas. Crown & Anchor Society members who match their status to MGM Rewards can enjoy benefits at the following Las Vegas hotels and resorts:

• Bellagio
• ARIA
• Vdara
• MGM Grand Las Vegas
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• Mandalay Bay
• Delano Las Vegas
• Park MGM Las Vegas
• NoMad Las Vegas
• New York-New York
• Luxor
• Excalibur

Outside of Las Vegas, other MGM casinos around the United States participate in MGM Rewards:

• Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Mississippi)
• Borgata (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
• Empire City Casino (Yonkers, New York)
• MGM Grand Detroit (Detroit, Michigan)
• MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill, Maryland)
• MGM Springfield (Springfield, Massachussets)
• MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, Ohio)

A new partnership with Hard Rock International started in 2024

In April 2024, Royal Caribbean announced a new partnership with Hard Rock International. In this partnership, members of Royal Caribbean’s casino loyalty program—Club Royale—can receive benefits through Hard Rock’s Unity loyalty program.

There are four tiers in Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale program: Choice, Prime, Signature, and Masters. Hard Rock International benefits vary by tier, but each level includes, at a minimum, a discount on one hotel room per stay at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino properties in Hollywood and Tampa, Florida.

Choice members receive a 5% discount, Prime receive 10%, Signature receive 15%, and Masters members receive a 20% discount on each stay.

The hotel discount can be applied an unlimited number of times during the qualifying year. The discount does not apply to resort fees at the selected property.

In addition, those with higher status in Club Royale—Signature and Masters members—will appreciate an annual 3-night complimentary stay at a Hard Rock Seminole gaming property in either Hollywood or Tampa.

During the stay, Signature members receive a $300 property credit whereas Masters members receive $600 to spend throughout the stay.

How to earn loyalty in Club Royale to receive perks with Hard Rock International

In order to take advantage of Hard Rock International benefits, Crown & Anchor Society members must first earn status in the Club Royale program.

Status can be earned by gambling in Royal Caribbean’s casinos as long as guests tap their SeaPass card at slot machines or present the card to casino staff at table games. All passengers start at the Choice tier. One Reward Point is earned for every $5 played into slot machines and every $10 spent at Video Poker machines. Points earned on table games vary by the average bet and length of play.

For more detailed information on Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale loyalty program, check out the following article:

• I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

Crown & Anchor Society members also save on Hertz car rentals

If you plan to rent a car on an upcoming trip, consider renting with Hertz to earn perks. Through Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Hertz, Crown & Anchor Society members receive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status, which allows members to save time through the program’s Skip the Counter and E-Return access.

Additionally, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can earn points toward free rentals and save on base rental rates.

To book a car rental through Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Hertz, Crown & Anchor Society members should use this link.

Lastly, guests in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland can earn Avios airline points when booking Royal Caribbean cruises

This August, Royal Caribbean International announced a brand-new partnership with IAG Loyalty, which allows cruisers booking their next sailing through Royal Caribbean’s U.K., Spain, and Ireland websites to earn Avios points on balcony and suite bookings.

Avios are the currency of several major airlines, which can be used to book flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and other experiences. Currently, Avios are the currency of the British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, and Vueling Club. As part of the Oneworld alliance, however, Avios can also be used to book airfare on a wide range of partner airlines, including American Airlines, Finnair, and Alaska Airlines.

Related: Flying to your cruise? 6 things to consider before booking

Guests will earn 3 Avios for every £1/€1 spent on a Royal Caribbean booking, but only if staying in a balcony or suite cabin. To receive the benefit, passengers must input their frequent flyer number on the confirmation page during the booking process.

Currently, this benefit is only available in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland, so guests in other regions cannot take advantage of this partnership.

A cruise ship vacation isn't complete without a memorable shore excursion, but how do you find the best ones?

There are so many choices what to do in the port your ship visits. While Royal Caribbean's shore excursions offer ideas, there are plenty of other options if you look to book something through a third party.

Whether you’re looking for an activity not offered by Royal Caribbean, hoping to find a better price, or want to see the widest range of tours available, it’s helpful to know where to look.

Certainly there are a few good reasons to book a tour with Royal Caribbean directly, because the cruise line vets the operator to ensure they are safe, responsible, and deliver on the promise of what's promised. 

However, booking a tour on your own could save you money, provide smaller tour sizes, and greatly expand the choices you have. The benefits of booking a tour not through the cruise line often outweigh the drawbacks, especially when you are able to read reviews from those who booked the tour in the past and know that you are booking with an experienced tour company.

I wanted to provide you a few easy places to start looking to find a shore excursion that you can do on your own without having to dig too deep down a rabbit hole of searches.

Day passes from a resort

If you’re looking for a relaxing beach day with all the amenities of a resort, look no further than Resortforaday.com.

Resort for a Day is a service that sells day passes at resorts and hotels for cruise passengers. You can book resorts across the Caribbean, Europe, Florida and more.

The exact amenities and inclusions of a day pass through Resort for a Day vary, as offerings are subject to the resort’s policies. Some resort day passes include all-inclusive food and drinks whereas others give a food and beverage credit. Likewise, some resorts are kid-friendly and include access to a waterpark or kids club whereas others are adults-only.

A day pass at the Westin Cozumel, for example, includes unlimited food and beverages, beach and pool access, a kids club for children aged 4-12, outdoor showers, wifi, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding.

Margaritaville Beach Resort & Waterpark in Nassau, on the other hand, is not all-inclusive. Food and drinks must be purchased individually, but pool, beach, and waterpark access are available to day pass guests.

It’s important to choose a day pass wisely to ensure the resort’s offerings and ambience fit within your travel style. If you want a relaxing, quieter day in port, an adults-only resort may be the best fit. If you’re traveling with kids, though, a resort offering a waterpark or kid-friendly activities would be a better choice.

Most resorts allow access to day pass guests from around 9 or 10am until 5pm.

Guided tours around the world

Tripadvisor is an excellent research option due to its lists of things to do in cruise ports around the world. To search for tours and activities in your port of call, go to Tripadvisor’s front page and click the “Things to Do” button.

Input the name of your cruise port and you’ll be taken to a page with a wide range of tours available. One of the best benefits of Tripadvisor is the amount of reviews available on the website. Reading reviews from those who have booked the tour in the past is helpful, as it allows you to learn more about the excursion’s benefits and drawbacks.

Not only does Tripadvisor list tours you can book directly through their website, but it also lists the essential things to do and eat at each location. These lists can be helpful for passengers planning a DIY excursion. Knowing the best beaches, restaurants, and attractions in your port of call can make exploring on your own a whole lot easier.

Viator, like Tripadvisor, allows you to book tours from independent tour operators, and has a wide range of tour categories available. From Arts & Culture to Classes & Workshops and Food & Drink, you’re sure to find a tour that fits your interests on Viator.

Shore Excursions Group

While similar to Tripadvisor and Viator, Shore Excursions Group focuses solely on shore excursions for cruise ship passengers. Tours are offered all around the world, from the Caribbean to the Arabian Gulf and Asia.

Shore Excursions Group makes it easy to pick a tour that fits within your cruise ship’s itinerary, as tours are filtered by your cruise ship’s specific departure date and ports of call. There’s no need to check your calendar or worry about accidentally booking the wrong day, as Shore Excursions Group has all Royal Caribbean itineraries listed on their website.

Shore Excursions Group features several different types of tours: small group tours, private tours, scenic tours, cultural tours, active tours, and city tours. Each type of tour comes with its own style, whether traveling to Alaska’s glaciers on a scenic tour or cycling through small towns in Europe on an active tour.

Recommendations from other cruisers

Online message boards are a great way to find more information about your cruise ship, and they can also be a useful research tool when deciding what to do in port. 

Hearing from those cruisers who have been to your destination before is valuable, as they are able to offer their recommendations on what to do (and what not to do) in a particular port.

The Royal Caribbean Blog message boards, for example, have a shore excursions board where you can ask questions to fellow cruisers and learn more about what each port of call offers. If you’re wondering if a certain tour is worth it or you're trying to choose between two separate tours, odds are someone on the message boards has first-hand experience with your port of call and can help you make a decision.

Google (“port name + tour”)

Sometimes the easiest way to find a shore excursion on your own is through a simple Google search.

If you’re looking for something to do in St. Maarten, for example, search “St. Maarten tour” on Google. You can customize this further if you wish, searching “St. Maarten tour kid friendly” if you’re traveling with kids or “St. Maarten tour catamaran” if you want to sail around the island.

Google will list the most top-rated websites where you can book shore excursions and read reviews from those who have done the tour previously. It’s hard to go wrong with a Google search when researching shore excursions, and it is a good starting point for those researching activities in their ports of call.

The Port of Galveston has evolved from an industrial port to become one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, offering year-round sailings to the Caribbean.

With Royal Caribbean's opening of a brand new $125 million cruise terminal, the popularity of a cruise from Texas has never been more popular. The new terminal can handle the biggest cruise ships in the world, as well as expedite the embarkation and disembarkation process.

A cruise from Galveston will likely take you around the Western Caribbean, with stops in destinations such as Cozumel, Mexico; Progreso, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.

On top of that, Royal Caribbean is planning a new private beach club to open in Cozumel to open sometime in 2026.

Here's everything you need to know about planning a cruise from Galveston, from booking flights and hotels to arriving at the port.

In this guide:

• Where is the Port of Galveston?
• Which airport should I fly into for a cruise from Galveston?
• How to get from the airport to the Port of Galveston
• What time should I schedule my return flight after the cruise?
• Parking at the Port of Galveston
• Where to stay the night before your cruise
• Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Galveston?

Where is the Port of Galveston?

Royal Caribbean’s ships operate out of Terminal 10 and is located at 1028 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550.

Which airport should I fly into for a cruise from Galveston?

Passengers arriving by plane to board a cruise in Galveston will fly into one of two Houston airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

IAH is the busiest airport in Houston, serving all major US airlines, and you’ll often find competitive pricing when flying into IAH.

It is the second-largest hub for United Airlines, meaning there are nonstop flights from nearly every major US city and over 70 international destinations.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

HOU is the smaller of Houston’s airports, but it’s more convenient as it’s located only 7 miles from downtown Houston.

Houston Hobby is primarily served by Southwest Airlines. The vast majority of flights to Houston Hobby will be on Southwest, so if you live near a Southwest hub, you’re likely to find well-priced, nonstop flights to HOU.

Houston Hobby is located closer to the Port of Galveston, so we recommend searching for flights into this airport first. If prices are significantly higher or there are fewer direct options, however, flying into IAH would be the best option.

How to get from the airport to the Port of Galveston

Once you’ve booked a flight to Houston, your next task is figuring out how you’ll travel from the airport to port.

Unfortunately, the airports are located 40 miles (HOU) and 70 miles (IAH) from the Port of Galveston, so getting from the airport to port is not as convenient in Galveston compared to other ports like Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

That being said, there are several recommended ways to reach the port from the airport:

Rideshare service

The most convenient way to reach the Port of Galveston from a Houston airport is through a rideshare service like Lyft.

Lyft is the exclusive rideshare company at the Galveston terminal, so you cannot use Uber.

This option is best for those traveling with larger groups, as the cost of the Lyft is per vehicle and not per person like many shuttle services. Most Lyfts should be able to fit four passengers in addition to the driver. This brings the travel cost per passenger down significantly when compared to booking a shuttle service.

Expect to pay between $50-60 one-way when traveling from Houston Hobby airport to the Port of Galveston and $90-100 one-way when traveling from George Bush Intercontinental airport to the port. Tipping the driver is standard practice.

If you are traveling with large suitcases or have more than four passengers, you’ll want to book a Lyft XL. These are larger vehicles that can better accommodate luggage and higher numbers of passengers. The cost will be a bit higher for this service than a regular-sized vehicle.

Taxi service

Taxi service is also available from both airports in Houston, but the price of a taxi will likely be higher than what you will pay for a rideshare service. Expect to pay at least $125+ one-way from IAH airport and $75+ from HOU airport.

Because the prices of taxis are higher, we recommend using a rideshare service first.

Booking shuttles through Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a shuttle service to and from both the George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports, and this can be one of the most convenient options for travelers.

Royal Caribbean’s round trip shuttle service pricing varies by airport and is priced per person. 

• George Bush Intercontinental: $80 roundtrip
• William P. Hobby: $64 roundtrip

Note: These were the prices I was given for a tentative sailing in October 2022, although prices are subject to change. For the most up to date pricing, contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program.

When traveling with one or two guests, a shuttle service can make sense, but the price can get high when traveling with 3, 4, 5, or more guests. In this scenario, booking a rideshare or taxi service usually has a better price-per-person ratio.

Independent shuttle companies

While booking through the cruise line can be convenient, you’ll find a better shuttle price through independently operated shuttle companies in Galveston.

Several companies offer shuttle service to and from both the IAH and HOU airports:

Galveston Express offers shuttles priced at $60-65 roundtrip from HOU airport and $70-75 roundtrip from IAH airport.

Galveston Limousine offers the lowest prices, at $50 roundtrip from HOU airport and $60 roundtrip from IAH airport.

Island Breeze Shuttle does pricing a bit differently than their competitors. They price their shuttle at $150 roundtrip from HOU airport and $190 roundtrip from IAH, but the pricing is for 2 passengers.

The 3rd and 4th passenger from HOU airport cost $60 and $30, respectively, and the 3rd and 4th passenger from IAH airport cost $85 and $50. Group rates are also available.

Should I rent a car to get to the Port of Galveston?

Some passengers may look into renting a car from the airport in Houston and driving to the Port of Galveston themselves.

However, this is typically not going to be the most convenient nor cost effective option, especially if you’re unable to secure a one-way car rental and have to pay to park the car for a week.

It can’t hurt to check pricing and availability, though, especially if you’re traveling with a large family and would prefer having a private vehicle. It can also be a nice option if you plan to explore more of the Galveston or Houston areas before or after your cruise.

What time should I schedule my return flight after the cruise?

Because Houston’s airports are located 40-70 miles from the Port of Galveston, it’s important to budget enough time to disembark the cruise ship, travel to Houston, check-in for your flight, and go through security.

Even if your cruise itinerary says you will arrive at the Port of Galveston at 6 or 7 in the morning on disembarkation day, you may not disembark until 7:30-9AM.

Following disembarkation, you’ll need to catch a rideshare/taxi service or board a shuttle bus to the airport. Factoring in traffic and any potential delays, it might take longer than you anticipate to travel from the cruise ship to the airport.

Therefore, the earliest we recommend booking a flight home from Galveston/Houston is 1PM or later on disembarkation day.

Parking at the Port of Galveston

If you live within driving distance of Galveston and plan to drive to the port yourself, you’ll find many parking options for the duration of the cruise. Here are some of the most convenient and/or best priced options.

Port of Galveston (official parking)

The Port of Galveston offers official parking at Terminal 10, Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal in Galveston. Parking 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. There are shuttle services offered as well.

The price per day is $22 to $25.

Independently-owned parking lots

There are several independently owned and operated parking lots near the Port of Galveston. All of these lots, however, are located near the original cruise terminals and not Royal Caribbean’s new Galveston terminal.

Most of these parking lots will be about a 7-10 minute drive from the port (or a 30 minute walk). Because Royal Caribbean’s terminal is brand new, it’s best to call the parking companies to check whether or not they will provide shuttles from the lot to Cruise Terminal 3.

Independently owned lots typically offer nice savings when compared to the port’s official parking lots, although prices may be subject to change with the distance required to reach Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal.

Here are a few of the best rated places to park near the Port of Galveston:

• EZ Cruise Parking
• Galveston Park N Cruise
• Falstaff Cruise Parking
• Discount Cruise Parking

Where to stay the night before your cruise

We always recommend arriving at the cruise port the day before your cruise begins. Unexpected delays and airline cancellations are all too common, so planning to arrive a day ahead of time gives you more wiggle room in case of any mishaps.

Related: Why you shouldn't fly to your cruise the same day it begins

If you arrive in Houston late at night, your best bet is to stay near the airport and catch a shuttle or rideshare service to Galveston the following morning. Be sure to still allow yourself plenty of time to travel between Houston and Galveston in case of traffic or other delays.

If you arrive earlier in the day, however, we recommend traveling to Galveston the day before your cruise and spending the night there instead. This ensures you are already at the cruise port and will not have to travel the morning of your cruise.

Several Royal Caribbean Blog readers have shared their best hotel recommendations in our message boards:

• Baymont by Wyndham Galveston
• Springhill Suites by Marriott Galveston Island
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Galveston Beach

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Galveston?

Harmony of the Seas

Once Allure heads back to Florida in fall 2023, Harmony of the Seas will come to Galveston to offer 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

Mariner of the Seas

Mariner offers primarily 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston that visit ports in Mexico. There's also a few holiday cruises in December that are 7-nights for Mariner.

With Mariner of the Seas making short sailings to the Western Caribbean from Galveston, it's also convenient for those who live nearby and don't want to have to pay for airfare.

5-night cruises will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, while 4-night voyages will only visit Cozumel. 

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas will return to Galveston after a stint in Florida making longer voyages to the Caribbean following her Royal Amplification in early 2025. 

Allure of the Seas will offer primarily 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

Jewel of the Seas

Beginning in Fall 2024, Jewel of the Seas will call Texas her home.

Between November 2024 and March 2025, Jewel will offer Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries. All of the sailings are on the longer end, with cruises ranging between 8- and 11-night cruises.

Not only will these cruises visit Mexico, but there are stops scheduled in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and Grand Cayman.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

• First-time cruise tips for Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

The Royal Caribbean customer loyalty program has different levels of rewards for anyone that cruises multiple times with them.

The frequent cruiser program is called the Crown and Anchor Society, and the more nights you go on a cruise ship, the more points you earn.  With more points, you can reach higher levels.

Some of the most popular perks include priority check-in, onboard discounts, and even complimentary beverages during their cruise. Additionally, members have access to dedicated venues, private cocktail parties onboard the ship, and more.

At the top tier levels, you'll get complimentary drinks every day of your cruise, free photos, internet access, and even a free cruise if you reach the very top tier.

All in all, Crown and Anchor Society provides great incentives for frequent Royal Caribbean passengers who want to take advantage of special offers throughout their cruising experience. It's a great way for guests to be rewarded for their loyalty.

How to earn Crown and Anchor points

You'll earn points for the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program based on each night of a cruise you sail.  

• 1 point for each night of the cruise
• 1 bonus point per night if you are in a suite
• 1 bonus point her night if you are cruising solo

For example, if your cruise is seven nights, you will earn seven points in a standard cabin that you share with at least one other person.

Staying in a suite or cruising solo will get you a bonus point per night. 

Points are not rewarded until after you have completed a sailing. This means if you technically reach the next tier of the Crown and Anchor Society on day two of a cruise, your upgraded status will not be recognized until your next cruise.

Crown and Anchor points never expire and the status you earn is good indefinitely.

Joining the Crown and Anchor Society is free and we recommend creating an account prior to your first cruise. If you did not have a Crown and Anchor Society account before your cruise, you can create one and link past sailings from the previous 12 months.

Royal Caribbean levels

There are six tiers to the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society program:

• Gold 3 points
• Platinum 30 points
• Emerald 55 points
• Diamond 80 points
• Diamond Plus 175 points
• Pinnacle Club 700 points

There is also the Pre-Gold level, which is where every guest will start on their first Royal Caribbean cruise. As most sailings are 3 nights or longer, the majority of guests will reach Gold status after their first cruise.

Gold

Ranging from 3-29 points, the Gold level is the first official tier of the Crown & Anchor Society program. As a Gold member, you do not receive an extensive list of benefits, but you will receive the following:

• SeaPass card recognition
• Crown and Anchor Exclusive Rates
• 50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda (two coupons per sailing)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (two coupons per sailing, on select ships)
• Access to a private departure lounge with continental breakfast
• 10% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda (this is separate from the above coupon offer)
• 25% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• 10% discount on any internet package purchased on board (not combinable with any other internet offer)
• Crown and Anchor Society Desk for membership inquiries
• $2 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• One free card when buying a bingo package
• 10% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• 10% discount on Royal Caribbean logo products (with a $25 minimum purchase)
• Priority notice on special offers, new ships and itineraries
• Additional cruise points for purchasing suite accommodations and/or single pricing type
• Exclusive email offers
• Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive member newsletter
• Loyalty match with Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club and Silversea Venetian Society

Platinum

From 30-54 points you will be a Platinum member of the Crown and Anchor Society. If you have accumulated this many points, you are likely a seasoned cruiser compared to your Pre-Gold days. Platinum members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• 50% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• Buy a specialty restaurant dinner and receive one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks
• 15% discount on any internet package purchased on board (not combinable with any other internet offer)
• Exclusive Top Tier Event on 5+ sailings
• $4 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• 3 free cards when buying a bingo package
• Robes for use onboard
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• $5 discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• 20% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
• 15% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• Discounts on balcony and suite staterooms

Emerald

An Emerald member does not see a substantial increase in onboard and cruise planning benefits compared to the Platinum level. Emerald members, from 55 to 79 points, receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• 2 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• $6 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• 6 free cards when buying a bingo package
• 25% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
• Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to a Platinum member

If you took eight week-long cruises in a non-suite cabin, you could reach the Emerald level fastest.

Diamond

Becoming a Diamond member is where the elite benefits really kick in for cruisers. The Diamond level, from 80 to 174 points, is where you begin to receive benefits that will better impact your cruise vacation.

As a Diamond member, one of the best benefits you receive is access to the Crown Lounge. Reaching 80 points means that you now have access to a completely new area onboard and all of the benefits that come with it, like complimentary food, coffee, and access to the Diamond concierge.

Diamond members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• Milestone recognition
• 20% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
• 4 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 1 free day of internet (for 1 device)
• Priority waitlist for Shore Excursions/Vitality Spa services
• Priority waitlist seating request in the Main Dining Room
• Entertainment Tour on 5+ sailings
• Crown Lounge access with nightly happy hour
• $10 discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• Stateroom phone discount rate of $2 per minute
• Chef's Choice gift on 5+ sailings
• 30% discount on a single photo, photo package, or photobook
• 1 free digital or printed photo
• 15% discount on Royal Caribbean logo products (with a $25 minimum purchase)
• 20% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• Signature lapel pin
• Milestone crystal block (beginning at 140 cruise points)
• Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to an Emerald member

If you took 12 week-long cruises in a non-suite cabin, you could reach the Diamond level fastest.

Diamond Plus

The jump from Diamond to Diamond Plus in the Crown and Anchor Society is a big milestone. Whereas you can reach the Diamond level after “just” 80 points, reaching Diamond Plus requires more than double that at 175 points.

And once you reach Diamond Plus you will likely stay in this tier for a long time, as Diamond Plus ranges from 175-699 Crown and Anchor points.

Solo cruisers are sure to love the 150% reduction (125% for transatlantic, transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings) in the single supplement charge that occurs at 340 points.

Diamond Plus members receive all benefits listed above with the addition of:

• 25% discount on any glass of wine, beer or soda
• 5 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest
  • Valid for dinner reservations on the first or second night only. Excludes Celebration Table, Chef's Table, Empire Supper Club, Hooked, Izumi, Johnny Rockets, Playmakers, Potside BBQ, and Royal Railway.
• 30% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• 2 free days of internet (for 1 device)
• Personalized Gift/Amenity (per household)
• Exclusive Top Tier Event
• Early access to Royal Theater, ice show, and AquaTheater events
• Cheers with an Officer for members with 340+ cruise points on 7+ nights
• Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340+ cruise points
• 3 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• One free $34.99 wash and fold bag on 5+ nights
• Bonus gift (per household)
• Complimentary add-on spa treatment (excludes medi-spa services)
• Exclusive access to Diamond Plus & Pinnacle Club call center staff members
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200% for members that have 340+ cruise points
  • This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (Christmas, New Year's, Thanksgiving, Easter/Spring break) and the peak summer months of June 15 through August 15 are not included in this offer.
• Bigger discount on balcony and suite staterooms compared to a Diamond member

Pinnacle Club

The most coveted tier of the Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society is the Pinnacle Club. Making up only a very small percentage of C&A members, a whopping 700 points must be earned to reach the Pinnacle Club level.

Reaching Pinnacle is a huge milestone for Royal Caribbean fans. As Royal Caribbean Blog writer Marcy Miyar explained, though, you don’t necessarily have to spend 700 nights on a cruise ship to reach Pinnacle. Booking suites or cruising solo allows you to earn more than one point per night, thus making your pathway to Pinnacle Club a little bit quicker.

Pinnacle Club members receive the very best benefits of all, including what's been listed above with the addition of:

• 6 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 40% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• Coastal Kitchen access (varies by ship)
• Suite/Concierge Lounge access
• Flexible arrival
• $25 off specialty dining on 5+ nights (Oasis and Quantum Class ships only and excludes the same specialty restaurants as mentioned above)
• Free unlimited internet for 1 device
• Personalized lapel pin for Pinnacle Club
• Daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant
• Milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a 7-night balcony stateroom for 700 and 1,050 cruise points
• Milestone cruise certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter
• Bigger discount on Balcony & Suite staterooms compared to a Diamond Plus member

Member benefits for kids and spouses

Your kids can get the same loyalty perks as you up until they turn 18.

Family members in the same household of a Crown and Anchor Society member can be added into a relationship with the member and receive equal tier status. Points listed in the family member’s account will be according to the amount of cruises that individual has taken. However, they will still receive all benefits of the tier level they earned as someone in the household of a Crown and Anchor Society member.

For example, if you are a Diamond Plus member, your kids will automatically be Diamond Plus members as well after their first cruise, even if their own Crown and Anchor Society account only has a few points. 

The only exception to this rule is with the Pinnacle Club. Dependents are not able to receive Pinnacle Club status from their parents or guardians and must achieve that milestone themselves. Spouses and domestic partners are able to reach Pinnacle status through their partners.

Other benefits for youth members of the Crown and Anchor Society include:

• 50% off one scoop of ice cream at the ice cream parlor (on select ships)
• Internet discounts equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second free
• Spend $15 in arcade credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in arcade credits to get $25 off
• Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)
  • 4 for Diamond, 5 for Diamond Plus, 6 for Pinnacle

Matching status with other cruise lines

Royal Caribbean guests can status match to perks with Celebrity Cruises and SilverSea Cruises. Cruisers, however, do not earn collective points. Each program is still on its own in terms of accruing points based on nights you sail.

Royal Caribbean Group, which owns all three brands, offers new status matching opportunities that began in June 2024.

Once you attain any status within the Crown and Anchor Society, you can qualify for matching status with Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club loyalty program or Silversea's Venetian Society.

Depending on your status within Crown and Anchor Society, you could get different benefits across the other sister brands.

You'll get matching status at the Select level in the Captain's Club Program. That will get you benefits such as:

• 25% discount on internet packages
• 30% discount on photo packages
• 10% discount on spa treatments
• Priority status for the shore excursion waitlist

Royal Caribbean's Diamond members and Celebrity's Elite members who match their status to the 250 Venetian Society Days level in the Silversea program will instantly qualify for a 10% discount on Silversea cruises. Additionally, they will enjoy other exclusive perks that are not typically available to first-time Silversea cruisers.

If you can get to Diamond in Crown and Anchor Society, you can match to Elite Level within Captain's Club. Status matching across both lines is a great way to maximize the value of your loyalty because you will get more benefits such as:

• 90 complimentary minutes of streaming
• 40% off a digital or print photo package
• $200 off The Studio photo packages
• Unlimited free drinks from the Captain’s Club menu each day between 5 and 7 p.m. at most bars and lounges on the ship
• Access to the Captain’s Club Coffee Lounge
• Free access to the Persian Garden spa zone on one port day of your choice (Millennium & Solstice Class ships only)
• 30% off Wi-Fi packages and upgrades
• 15% discount on a drink package or a premium drink package upgrade

The best benefits for status matching are for the top-tier guests on each line, who can instantly qualify for top-tier status with the other lines and enjoy the best benefits. Members are now able to match all the way up to the highest tiers, Zenith and Pinnacle.

To qualify for the status matching, cruisers must enroll in a program before receiving a status match.

Finding a good cruise deal is easier than you think, as long as you know when to book (and what to look for). 

No one wants to pay more than they have to for a cruise vacation, and luckily there are several easy tips you can use to find the best cruise deals available.

The top reason someone might not get the best price on a cruise is because they miss out on the tried and true strategies that usually get the lowest price.

It's more difficult than ever to get a great cruise deal because of how immensely popular taking a cruise is right now. Demand is so high for cruising that cruise lines are disincentivized from offering major discounts.

There's also a game to finding a cruise deal, because sometimes there aren't any deals for a specific sailing. The more flexible you are, the better your chances at finding an amazing cruise deal.

If you’re wondering how to get the best cruise deals, here are 15 easy tips.

Always book as early as possible

More often than not, the best cruise deals are found on sailings one to two years in the future. In most scenarios, if you’re looking for the best deals, we recommend booking as soon as possible rather than waiting until the last minute.

Most cruise itineraries are announced around two years in advance. As itineraries open up for bookings, you can often find great deals, especially if you’re hoping to book a balcony room or suite. Plus, if you’re searching for a rare cruise cabin it’s important to book early not only to find a cruise deal, but to book before the cabin sells out.

Cruise when others cannot

If you want a really cheap cruise, my advice is book a sailing when families cannot or will not cruise.

Booking a cruise during the shoulder season instead of the peak season often saves the most money.

Peak season varies by destination, but generally coincides with school holidays. Summer, holiday weekends, and school breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break tend to see the most demand for cruises.

Therefore, if you’re able to cruise outside of these peak times, you can almost always find cheaper cruise deals. Sailing to Alaska in early September, for example, can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than sailing in mid July.

Likewise, booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season is typically much more affordable than during Thanksgiving. While there’s a slight chance of a hurricane affecting your cruise, most itineraries will sail smoothly with no itinerary changes or cancellations.

Related: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean

While not everyone can take advantage of sailing at non-peak times, particularly if they have kids still in school, it can lead to great cruise deals for those with more flexibility.

Sail on older and smaller ships

Besides time of year, you will consistently find lower prices on Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

The oldest Royal Caribbean ships—Vision, Radiance, and Voyager Class ships—often see some of the lowest prices. Despite the smaller size, many cruisers appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere of these ships and the unique ports on their itineraries.

Why are they cheaper? Because they don't have all the latest features that many vacationers are looking for, such as water slides, lots of restaurants, Broadway shows, or top deck activities.

Related: I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest and oldest cruise ships: here’s what it’s like to cruise on each

If you’re hoping for a blend of a cheap deal and "new" ship, look at cruising on an amplified cruise ship. As part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program, the cruise line made significant refurbishments on select older vessels. During the process, they added features such as waterslides, new dining venues, and revamped pool decks.

Despite the addition of new features, cruise fares are still reasonable on amplified vessels—some of the best values in a cruise vacation can be found on amplified ships like Mariner of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas.

Look for last-minute deals

Booking a cruise at the last minute might seem counterintuitive to our advice about booking a cruise early. And although we usually recommend booking early as opposed to later, you can often snag a cheap cruise deal by booking at the last minute.

Related: How to get last minute cruise deals

If a cruise itinerary still has a significant number of empty cabins in the months leading up to the sailing, Royal Caribbean may drop the price in order to increase demand. This is most common after the final payment date for a particular sailing has passed—between 75 and 90 days before the cruise.

To find a last-minute cruise deal on Royal Caribbean, search the website for cruises and filter the results to see the lowest price first. You can also use a website such as VacationsToGo.com, which has a 90-day ticker showing the best, cheapest cruise deals departing within the next three months.

Sail a one-way Alaska itinerary

Alaska cruises have a reputation for being more expensive than other itineraries. After all, it’s not uncommon to spend over $2000 for an interior cabin during the state’s peak summer season.

Despite this, we’ve noticed a pricing trend for the past two years on select Alaska itineraries. One-way Alaska itineraries tend to offer fantastic cruise deals, often as low as just $550 per person including taxes and fees.

One-way Alaska cruises travel from Vancouver, Canada to Seward, Alaska and vice versa. These 7-night itineraries allow guests to visit more Alaska ports as well as spend time in Alaska’s interior before or after the cruise. While providing an excellent itinerary, one-way cruises see less demand compared to roundtrip sailings due to the inconvenience of starting and ending in different ports.

If Royal Caribbean sees low demand in the months leading up to the sailing, the prices for these sailings will drop drastically. Keeping an eye on one-way Alaska cruise deals 3-6 months before the cruise begins is a sure-fire way to find a deal on cruising to the Last Frontier.

Book with a travel agent

I book every single cruise with a travel agent, whether a short weekend cruise to the Bahamas or a two week trip to Greenland. Doing so has saved me hundreds of dollars over the past few years, and that’s not even mentioning the added service and resources my travel agent provides before, during, and after the sailing.

Whenever I book a cruise, I first email my travel agent for a quote; the quote I receive is often cheaper than what I could find on Royal Caribbean’s website. Depending on the travel agency you work with, they may offer group rates on select itineraries, which can save you money on your cruise fare.

Related: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

Additionally, I almost always receive extra onboard credit through my travel agent. Having onboard credit means I can enjoy my cruise even more, whether I use it to book a specialty restaurant dinner or order an extra cocktail on the pool deck.

Aside from potential savings, though, are other benefits to using a travel agent. Travel agents are available to answer any questions you may have about your Royal Caribbean cruise, and they provide service in the case of any problems you encounter leading up to your sailing.

Be flexible with your departure ports

Flexibility is key to finding the best cruise deals; if you’re flexible with your departure port, you may have a better chance at finding a cheap deal.

Instead of cruising from Miami, look at sailings from Tampa or Port Canaveral. Or, if you live in the Northeast, check if there are any cheap deals from Cape Liberty, Boston, or Baltimore. You might be surprised to find a cheap cruise leaving from a less common cruise port.

Don’t overlook more faraway departure ports as well. As someone who lives on the west coast of the United States, I’m often shocked at the price of domestic flights to South Florida from my home airport. In fact, it’s often nearly the same price to fly to Barcelona, Spain as it is to Miami!

While there’s certainly more travel time required to get to Europe as opposed to Florida, searching a wider range of departure ports means opening up the possibility for more cheap deals.

Look at any and all cruise itineraries

Just as it's important to be flexible on your cruise ship and departure port, you should also be flexible on your cruise itinerary in order to find the best deals.

If you’re set on visiting a particular port—whether Bermuda or Santorini—you’ll be more limited in cruise options. Having more limitations means you have fewer options available, meaning you’ll miss out on some of the best cruise deals.

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

If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest, best cruise fares, keep your destination availability open. All of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ports have something to offer, from the coral reefs of Australia to the cruise line’s private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The more flexible you are in itinerary choice, the better chance you’ll have at scoring a great deal.

Book a guarantee cabin

Booking a guarantee cabin on Royal Caribbean means you can save money on cruise fare with the caveat of not being able to choose your exact cabin location.

When you book a guarantee cabin, you give Royal Caribbean the power to select where on the ship your room will be located. If you book a guarantee balcony cabin, for example, you will be assigned (at least) a balcony room, but it could be located anywhere on the ship, from deck 7 forward to deck 12 aft.

Related: Should I book a guarantee stateroom on a cruise?

The advantage of booking a guarantee room, of course, is to save money—depending on the offer, you may be able to save over a hundred dollars by not choosing your cabin location. The disadvantage is that you cannot select the location. If you’re picky on cabin location, it’s best to pay extra to select the location yourself.

Despite the lack of flexibility, booking a guarantee cabin is one of the best ways to make a great cruise deal even cheaper.

Book during a Kids Sail Free promotion

If you’re planning a cruise with kids, the best time to book is during one of Royal Caribbean’s Kids Sail Free promotions.

As the name implies, a Kids Sail Free promotion is an offer in which kids can sail “free” on a Royal Caribbean cruise. In reality, this means that any third guest and higher in a cabin who is 12 years old or younger can sail free on a cruise longer than four nights.

Related: Royal Caribbean Kids Sail Free Dates & Tips

Of course, there are a few conditions to the Kids Sail Free offer. First are blackout dates, which are commonly found during school holidays. The second caveat is that you still have to pay taxes, fees, and gratuities for all kids—the “free” deal is for the base cruise fare only.

Despite these exceptions, booking during Kids Sail Free can usually save families money on a Royal Caribbean cruise if their schedule is flexible.

Book a longer itinerary

The shorter the cruise, the cheaper the cruise will cost… right? Not exactly!

Most people assume that booking a shorter cruise will lead to a cheaper cruise fare, but that’s not necessarily the case. As a matter of fact, some of the cheapest cruises are found on Royal Caribbean’s longest itineraries!

If you’re cruising with a limited budget, don’t search for only the shortest itineraries. While a 3-night weekend cruise might seem like it would be the cheapest option, this is hardly ever the case!

Instead, keep your search flexible and search for cruises of varying lengths. Royal Caribbean’s cruise fares aren’t necessarily priced according to cruise length, but are based on a variety of factors including ship age, time of year, itinerary, and demand for a particular sailing.

Some of the longest itineraries—such as repositioning cruises and transatlantic itineraries—see the lowest price per day of any cruise itinerary. Being open to more unique, longer itineraries can be a good way to stretch your vacation budget further and have more time onboard.

Keep an eye on Going, Going, Gone rates

Every week, Royal Caribbean publishes a PDF flyer online of their “Going, Going, Gone” rates. This list of last-minute cruise deals is one of the most convenient ways to check for the cheapest cruise fares available. You can view the list here.

The flyer is published once per week (usually late on Monday) but it is not updated throughout the week. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the flyer on late Monday night or early Tuesday morning in order to help ensure all deals listed are still available. As cruises book up during the week, the deals listed on the PDF may no longer be valid.

Subscribe to email newsletters

Hoping to be notified about the best cruise deals? Subscribing to email newsletters from your favorite cruise lines and cruise websites helps you stay in the loop.

The Royal Caribbean Blog newsletter, for example, is a weekly email in which we send out the week’s top stories, some of which may include information on cruise deals. Likewise, you may want to subscribe to Royal Caribbean’s official newsletter here—the cruise line sends promotional emails listing the current top deals and offers.

Stay loyal to a cruise line

The higher your loyalty status with a particular cruise line, the better chance you have of finding cheap cruise deals. If you cruise often with Royal Caribbean, we recommend sticking to the cruise line in order to grow your loyalty status in the Crown & Anchor Society.

Platinum members and above in the Crown & Anchor Society receive discounts on balcony and suite staterooms in addition to exclusive Crown & Anchor rates. Not only that, but single supplement fares are reduced for select Diamond Plus members and Pinnacle Club members receive a free 7-night cruise at 700 and 1050 cruise points.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Although most passengers “Loyal to Royal” won’t reach Pinnacle Club status, they can still receive the benefits of discounted cabins and onboard offers. Even if you don’t find the cheapest cruise deal available, you’ll still save significant money with Crown & Anchor benefits like free drinks and complimentary laundry.

Book with special rates for military, senior, and residency deals

Select groups of people may be eligible for special rates on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Knowing if you qualify for a special rate is helpful before you book in order to ensure you find the best cruise deal for your sailing.

Royal Caribbean’s list of guests who may qualify for discounts includes:

• Guests 55 years of age and older on select sailings
• Police and firefighters (active or retired employee or volunteer)
• Active or retired personnel in the military
• Airline personnel

We recommend checking Royal Caribbean’s detailed list here to check if you qualify for any discounts.

Before you sail on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, there are a few things you should know before stepping foot onboard.

Wonder of the Seas is one of the biggest ships in the world and also a newer Royal Caribbean cruise ship. With eight distinct neighborhoods, mind-blowing entertainment, and an abundance of family-friendly activities, the ship makes an ideal vacation for those in search of a fun getaway.

Like any cruise ship, it’s helpful to do a little research ahead of time to avoid any surprises once onboard. Knowing what to expect when it comes to the ship’s size, activity offerings, dining choices, and entertainment will better help you plan your vacation.

Sure, you can board a ship having done no prior research, but it’s in your best interest to be at least a little prepared for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

If you’re hoping to book a cruise on Wonder of the Seas, here are six things to know.

Wonder of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, and will start sailing short cruises soon

Wonder of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.:

• Wonder of the Seas weighs 235,600 gross tons
• She is 1,188 feet long and 215 feet wide (362 meters long and 65 meters wide)
• Her total guest capacity is 7,084 and she has 2,867 cabins
• There are 18 decks on Wonder of the Seas, 16 of which are accessible to passengers

Because of her size, Wonder of the Seas is among Royal Caribbean's most family-friendly ships. She features activities like a zip line, laser tag, waterslides, mini golf, a surfing simulator, and rock climbing wall.

Outside of these thrills are activities including karaoke, live music, production shows, trivia, and comedians. Suffice to say, you won't feel bored on this ship.

Wonder of the Seas currently sails from Port Canaveral, Florida. She offers primarily 7-night roundtrip itineraries visiting either the Western or Eastern Caribbean, with port stops including St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In 2025, Wonder will shift and start offering short weekend cruises only.

Beginning in September 2025, Wonder of the Seas will move to Miami, where she will begin offering 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas.

Wonder of the Seas has several design differences compared to her four sister ships in the Oasis Class

If you have sailed on other Oasis Class ships before, such as Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, you’ll notice a few design differences with Wonder of the Seas.

Most of the layout and activity offerings on Wonder of the Seas are the same as other ships in the Oasis Class. The ship still features an outdoor Boardwalk neighborhood with a carousel and AquaTheater, a Central Park with live plants, and a spacious Royal Promenade with shopping, restaurants, and lounges.

Despite similarities, Wonder of the Seas is not a carbon copy of her Oasis Class sisters.

Related: Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

On the sports deck, you’ll find just one FlowRider surf simulator instead of two. In its place is the Wonder Playscape, an underwater-themed playground for young children with small slides, climbing nets, and playground games.

Additionally, a new bar called The Vue replaced what would be a second cantilevered hot tub on the pool deck. This bar is one of the best places onboard to watch sailaway, as it jets off the side of the ship offering sweeping views both day and night.

Speaking of the pool deck, the Wonder of the Seas pool deck has a revamped layout compared to other Oasis Class ships. Not only does the pool deck have a Caribbean resort-style theme, but it features private casitas, a Lime and Coconut Bar, and the largest TV screen on any Royal Caribbean ship.

The pool deck’s adults-only Solarium is fully indoors, another difference from other Oasis Class ships, allowing for more climate control compared to the usual open-air spaces.

Most differences on Wonder of the Seas are positive, and they won’t make an impact on your overall cruise experience. If you’re a hardcore FlowRider surfer, though, it might be best to book a ship with two FlowRiders for more surfing time.

You should try the Southern comfort food restaurant

Don't miss out on the Southern comfort food spot on Wonder that serves brunch and dinner.

The Mason Jar is available only on Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. In comparison to the international cuisines typically found at Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants, The Mason Jar’s menu is curated from dishes from around the American South.

Related: The Mason Jar Southern Food Restaurant Review on Wonder of the Seas

Open for brunch and dinner, you’ll find everything from chicken and waffles to red velvet pancakes, blackened cajun catfish, and chicken pot pie on the menu. The unique offerings, inspired by dishes from Louisiana to Kentucky and beyond, are unlike any dishes you’ll find elsewhere onboard.

Many passengers on Wonder of the Seas do not dine at southern cuisine restaurants often at home, making it a special occasion when on the ship.

In addition to the restaurant itself is The Mason Jar Bar, which serves up southern-inspired cocktails like a PB&J Old Fashioned and Mississippi Moonlight. Small bites are also available to order from the bar without dining in the restaurant, including crab beignets and a crispy chicken sandwich.

A southern band plays country tunes most evenings of the cruise as well, and the bar is among the most popular places for a late-night hangout onboard.

The Mason Jar is a specialty restaurant, meaning it comes with an extra cost on top of your cruise fare. Brunch has a cover charge of $24.99 and dinner will set passengers back $39.99. Small appetizers and sandwiches ordered at the bar range from $3-9 each.

If you’re staying in a suite, it doesn’t get better than Wonder of the Seas

The suite-only areas on Wonder of the Seas truly stand out from the rest of the fleet.

Oasis Class cruise ships have seven neighborhoods, all of which have a different theme and are designed to spread out crowds around the ship. Neighborhoods include Central Park, where guests can relax among nature, and Entertainment Place, home to theaters and live performances each evening.

Related: Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods tour

On Wonder of the Seas, however, there are eight neighborhoods, the eighth of which is the Suite Neighborhood. In the past, ships had a few suites-only areas scattered around the ship, including a Suite Lounge and Suite Sun Deck.

With Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean wanted to put all suites-only areas in one place, thus creating the Suite Neighborhood. In the Suite Neighborhood you’ll find a Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen suites-only restaurant, and expansive Suite Sun Deck with a private plunge pool, bar, and comfy loungers.

Wonder of the Seas’ Suite Neighborhood is the closest you’ll get to a “ship within a ship” concept on Royal Caribbean, and it’s truly a luxurious enclave on an otherwise busy cruise ship.

Wonder of the Seas does not have a Broadway show, but there’s no shortage of entertainment

Several of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships, including the first four ships in the Oasis Class, feature a Broadway show in the theater. Whether Mamma Mia, Cats, Hairspray, or Grease, watching a Broadway show is a favorite activity among cruise fans.

If you enjoy attending Broadway shows on Royal Caribbean, you may be surprised to find out that Wonder of the Seas does not have a Broadway show. Instead, the ship features original productions in the theater, ice-skating rink, and AquaTheater.

Luckily, the lack of a Broadway show does not mean there’s not quality entertainment onboard. In fact, we’d argue Wonder of the Seas has the best productions in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Broadway show or not, you should make a point to see as many shows as possible during your week on the ship.

In the AquaTheater you’ll find InTENse. As the name implies, this show features an intense performance of high diving, slack lining, tightroping, acrobatics, and synchronized swimming by an all-female cast.

The ice-skating rink, Studio B, is home to the production of 365: The Seasons on Ice, which transports guests to all four seasons through technology-driven set design and professional performers. You’ll almost certainly be amazed watching the cast perform backflips, triple axels, and aerial performances on ice!

In The Royal Theater you’ll find the original production of The Effectors II: Crash n’ Burn, telling the story of a band of superheroes fighting their arch-nemesis, Crash. Although the storyline might sound cheesy, the combination of technology, drones, singing, and dancing makes this show a must-see while onboard.

Aside from these three main shows are smaller production shows and live music around the ship. Despite the lack of a Broadway show, there is more than enough entertainment to enjoy on Wonder of the Seas—it will be practically impossible to see it all in just one week.

The buffet is huge

One complaint you’ll often hear about Oasis Class ships is that the Windjammer buffet is too small, but this isn’t the case on Wonder of the Seas.

When Royal Caribbean designed the Oasis Class, they designed the ships with a wide selection of complimentary dining venues such as El Loco Fresh, Solarium Bistro, and Park Cafe. In theory, the cruise line thought that increasing the amount of dining venues would decrease the amount of guests eating at the buffet.

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Cafe buffet

As a result, they designed the Windjammer on Oasis Class ships to be smaller than what would usually be expected for such a large vessel. What they later realized, however, was that guests still wanted to dine at the buffet despite the other options available.

Taking customer feedback into consideration, Royal Caribbean designed the Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas to be the largest buffet in the fleet. The Windjammer wraps around the entirety of the aft of deck 15 and is better suited to the amount of passengers onboard.

If you’re a Windjammer fan, you’re sure to find the buffet on Wonder of the Seas to be less crowded and chaotic compared to other Oasis Class ships.

Not a buffet fan? The good news is that, like other Oasis Class ships, there are many dining options available that are included in your cruise fare. Outside of the Windjammer, guests can dine at the following venues:

• Main Dining Room
• Solarium Bistro
• Park Cafe
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Vitality Cafe
• Coastal Kitchen (suites only)
• Room service (continental breakfast only)
• Johnny Rockets (breakfast only)

Booking a cruise on Wonder of the Seas? Here are more helpful tips:

• Top 10 Wonder of the Seas Hidden Secrets
• 10 things Royal Caribbean got right with Wonder of the Seas
• All about Oasis Class cruise ships

Cruising with kids is really easy on a Royal Caribbean cruise, especially if you know all the tips and tricks.

When you go on a cruise with your family, it can mean a mix of ages and even generations. While lots of parents take their kids on cruises, multi-gen cruising is another popular option so that grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins can spend time together onboard.

So while there are plenty of secrets I could share that apply to just about everyone, I wanted to focus on the sort of things families should know before they go on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here are our top 50 best tips for cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean.

On This Page

• Planning tips
• Money saving tips
• Cruise cabin tips
• Packing tips
• Dining tips
• Adventure Ocean tips
• Miscellaneous tips

Planning tips

1. Buy your kids a passport

Passports cost money and kids passports expire after just 5 years, but they are worth the investment.

Having a passport for everyone in your party (that means you should get one too) makes the check-in, embarkation, and disembarkation process so much easier.

I think one of the biggest sources of frustration for families on a cruise are the lines and steps required to check-in and out of your cruise. Having a passport makes it all faster and simpler.

2. If you have toddlers, book a ship with a nursery

If you are going on a cruise with kids under 36 months old, make sure the ship you booked has a nursery.

Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have gotten a nursery added over the last few years, but a few still do not, and I would say you should avoid these ships.

The nursery is a godsend for parents with toddlers, because it offers excellent supervised child care for children of that age. Kids can eat, play, and even nap in the nursery, making it an important resource for parents who want a break now and then.

3. Be aware of age restrictions for babies

Before booking a cruise with your newborn, make sure you’re aware of Royal Caribbean’s current infant policy.

Infants sailing on most cruises in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia must be at least 6 months old by the first day of the cruise.

For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South America and other selected cruises, infants must be at least 12 months old by the first day of the cruise.

Any cruise that has 3 or more consecutive sea days requires infants to be at least 12 months old by the first day of the cruise.

4. Choose a ship with Splashaway Bay

Splashaway Bay is a kids-only aqua park on Royal Caribbean where you’ll find small slides, water cannons, a drench bucket, and jungle gym placed in shallow water.

If you aren’t sailing on a ship with Splashaway Bay, check if the ship has a baby splash pad available. Kids in diapers are not allowed in Royal Caribbean’s pools with the exception of the baby splash pad.

5. An internet package makes it easier to find your kids

Teenagers have a lot of freedom onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, but it’s important to be able to communicate with them throughout the day while they’re off exploring with new friends.

There are two main ways to stay connected on a cruise: an internet package or the Royal Caribbean app’s chat feature.

If you’re traveling with teens, consider booking an internet package so you can stay in touch while onboard. Internet packages are typically priced around $20 per device, per day.

Royal Caribbean's chat feature is free, but it requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app.  Moreover, notifications can be hit or miss.

6. Cruises that visit a private island is the easy button

There's no bad cruise to pick for your kids, but I'd recommend one that visits Royal Caribbean's private island for a first cruise.

Royal Caribbean has two private destinations, with new beach clubs and private destinations coming online in a few years.

If you're looking for the easiest possible first cruise with kids, I think one that visits one of these spots will be about as easy as it gets.

The reason is because Royal Caribbean curates everything so well, it feels like an extension of the cruise ship experience.

7. Book a ship with water slides

While pools are fun, water slides are kings among kids, and not every Royal Caribbean ship has a water slide.

When you decide to have a pool day, kids always want something else to do other than relaxing by the pool. Water slides have been a boom for families since it offers them an activity kids can do over and over again.

Before you book, research to check if the ship you are looking at booking has a water slide.

Related: Which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides?

8. Set spending limits for your kids

For older kids who carry their own SeaPass card, you may want to enable spending limits to avoid a potential problem later.

First, when checking in online, you can choose the option “No onboard expense account” to prevent your children from using their SeaPass card for onboard purchases.

Once onboard, you can stop by Guest Services and set a pre-established limit.

The arcade, for example, has its own $50 per person daily limit, although you can increase/decrease this limit to whichever amount you would like by speaking to the arcade attendant once onboard.

9. Look for kid-friendly shore excursions

Consider your children's’ ages, fitness levels, and interests before booking a shore excursion.

Some shore excursions have age restrictions. Discover Scuba Diving tours, for example, often have a minimum age of 12.

Other shore excursions may include strenuous activities like kayaking or hiking. If you don’t think your toddler will fare well with hiking 5 miles, it might be best to plan something different in port.

You can filter shore excursions on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site by interest, duration, and activity level to help find the best excursion to fit your family.

10. Kids don't need a drink package

I'm asked so often if parents need to buy their kids a drink package, and the answer is "no!".

Sure, if your kids are going to drink 4-5 sodas, mocktails, or coffees each day, you should get it for them.  But many kids, especially younger ones, won't.

You can easily order them drinks individually and pay for them rather than getting a costly package.  

A drink package can save you money, but it'll be cheaper to pay for drinks without one if your kids will drink just one or two drinks every day.

11. You can book kids in their own room with a hack

Royal Caribbean requires an adult to be booked in a cabin, but there's a workaround for this rule.

If you book a cabin with kids in them alone, it will be allowed if the cabin is one room away, either adjacent, connecting, or across the hall.

It's a lesser known policy, but could save you a lot of money (see tip #16 why).

12. Get your kids involved in planning the cruise

A Royal Caribbean cruise will undoubtedly be a fun experience for kids, so why not get them involved in the cruise planning process before you set sail?

Researching dining options, shore excursions, and onboard activities can get kids even more excited about their upcoming cruise vacation.

Another way to get kids involved in the cruise planning process is by finding YouTube videos or books about the cruise ship and ports of call. Watching a video tour of the ship you’ll be sailing on, for example, can help kids become more familiar with the cruise experience before your vacation begins.

Money saving tips

13. Don’t buy kids a dining package

Kids get special pricing at specialty restaurants, so buy dining packages only for the adults in your travel party.

Children between the ages of 0-5 are complimentary and ages 6-12 are $10 per child at any specialty restaurant.

When you make a reservation for a restaurant onboard, let your server know the adults have a dining package, but kids don’t and you will get a better price than if you bought the dining package for everyone.

14. Free ice cream on the pool deck

If your kids are craving ice cream but you don’t want to shell out extra money for Ben & Jerry’s, head to the pool deck for unlimited soft serve ice cream.

Not much makes kids happier than “unlimited” ice cream, and the soft serve station is usually available from around 11 AM to 6 PM each day.

15. Book during a Kids Sail Free promotion

Royal Caribbean regularly runs kids sail free deals that include the cruise fare of the third or fourth passenger in the same cabin as first two people paying normal price.

The "catch" with kids sail free are the blackout dates.  If you can find a qualifying sale, it can really save you a lot, especially if you book a suite.

Cruise cabin tips for families

16. Book two staterooms instead of one

My favorite family cruise tip is to book two connecting cabins instead of putting everyone into one room.

The conventional thought process is for a family of four or five to book one room for everyone. This is usually what families do at hotels or resorts, so why would a cruise be different?

Unlike hotels, cabins on a cruise are short on living space, so the experience is not exactly the same in sharing a room on a ship compared to on land.

Booking two connecting cabins not only provides more living space, but you get an extra bathroom (a huge benefit if your kids are older). Plus, you’ll have separation from your kids when it’s time to go to sleep.

Moreover, booking two connecting smaller rooms instead of one larger room may actually save you money.

17. Get a balcony room for some peace and quiet

If you have a child who will be napping during the day on your cruise, consider booking a balcony stateroom.

Having access to a private balcony means you can relax, chat, and make noise without worrying about waking your child up from his or her nap. You won’t have to worry about being extra quiet and silently sitting in the cabin.

Plus, you’ll have access to beautiful ocean views from your balcony. You’ll likely spend more time in your stateroom than normal when cruising with a young child, so splurging a bit more on extra comforts can be nice.

18. Bring a laundry basket

One of our best cabin hacks is to bring a cheap, pop-up laundry hamper for dirty clothes throughout the cruise.

It’s easy for cruise ship cabins to get messy quickly, especially when traveling with kids. Many cruisers find they have nowhere to put their dirty laundry and end up throwing clothes into a pile on the floor.

Instead, purchase a cheap pop-up laundry hamper to place in your stateroom. These hampers do not take up much space in your luggage but can be a life-saver when trying to keep your cruise ship cabin organized and clean.

19. Use magnetic hooks to hang extra belongings

Another cruise cabin hack we recommend is to pack magnetic hooks for extra storage space. Because Royal Caribbean cabins have magnetic walls, you can hang anything magnetic in your stateroom.

Purchasing a pack of sturdy magnetic hooks means you have extra space to hang things like jackets, towels, swimwear, hats, and backpacks.

20. Pack a USB hub

There are limited outlets in Royal Caribbean’s cruise cabins, particularly on the fleet’s older ships. It can be helpful to pack a USB hub to get more “charging space” from one outlet.

This is helpful when traveling with kids when you need to charge devices for 4+ guests, especially if you’re all staying in one room.

I recommend this outlet extender, which is approved for use on Royal Caribbean ships. (Contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but we make a small commission if you buy it)

21. You can request a crib for the room

There’s no need to pack a Pack and Play for your kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as Royal Caribbean will provide a crib for your child free of charge.

When booking your cruise, you’ll indicate your child’s age. You can call and have a note added to your reservation. 

In addition, exactly three days before your sailing, you can fill out an online form to request it. 

If you realize there is no crib in the room once onboard, simply ask your stateroom attendant and they will provide the correct arrangements.

22. Pack a night light

Cruise ship cabins can be extremely dark at night, especially if you’re staying in an interior room.

Consider packing a small night light to place in the room so your kids can navigate the room should they wake up during the night.

Being in an unfamiliar place can be confusing for kids, especially if it’s pitch black, so this can help negate any uneasy feelings. Plus, it might even prevent you from running into furniture in the middle of the night!

23. Decorate your stateroom door

The walls and doors of your stateroom cabin are magnetic, and you’ll find that many passengers decorate their stateroom door with fun decorations.

Making custom door decorations or picking out decorations on a site like Etsy can be a fun way to get your kids involved in the cruise planning process.

Packing tips

24. Pack more diapers and supplies than you think you’ll need

While you might use X amount of diapers and baby wipes at home each day, you’re going to want to pack more supplies than you think you’ll need on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

We recommend that you pack at least 25% more diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, etc. Closer to 50% extra is ideal to ensure you won’t run out of supplies.

If you do run out of baby supplies, you’ll be forced to either buy diapers, wipes, and other baby supplies onboard or at a pharmacy in port. Both options are not ideal, as onboard prices will be significantly higher than at home and pharmacies in foreign countries may not have the same brands you're used to.

25. Be sure to pack athletic shoes, long pants, and socks

If your kids are interested in trying onboard activities like the rock climbing wall, ice skating, zip lining, or the basketball court, be sure to pack the appropriate clothing.

It’s mandatory to wear closed-toed shoes to participate in sports activities onboard. Your kids won’t be permitted on the Sports Court or zip line without proper footwear. Avoid slip-on tennis shoes without laces or velcro as these may not be permitted on activities like the zip line.

Likewise, be sure to pack socks for the rock climbing wall and ice skating rink. Long pants are required for the ice skating rink, too.

26. Buy a first aid kit to bring along

Between running around the ship and exploring new ports, it’s not uncommon for kids to be in need of a band-aid, antibiotics, seasickness medication, and other essentials.

While these are available onboard, it’s much easier to pack a few items in a first aid kit for easy access.

27. Consider sun protective swim suits

Most kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise will spend their days soaking up the sun, whether at the pool, water slides, or FlowRider. When combined with beach days in port, this leads to a lot of time spent in the sun.

Consider purchasing UV swimwear for your kids before a cruise to avoid any painful sunburns. UV swimwear protects against sunburn by blocking harmful UV radiation.

While you can apply and reapply sunscreen over and over again, using more protective swimwear for kids is recommended.

28. Don’t bring a car seat

This may sound crazy, but you really should not bring a car seat with you on the cruise.

You won’t find car seats in most taxis in the Caribbean, and it’s unlikely you’ll want to lug a car seat around port each day. For a short ride, we recommend doing as the locals do: putting your kids on your lap or buckling them in with regular seat belts.

While we don’t recommend this at home, it’s the way of life in many cruise ports.

29. Pack snacks from home

Passengers are permitted to bring non-perishable food onto a Royal Caribbean cruise. While there is no shortage of food to enjoy on any cruise ship, having easy-to-pack snacks available for kids can be helpful when visiting ports or spending time on the ship.

Avoiding temper tantrums is a must for parents whenever possible, and having some of your child’s favorite snacks available if they get hungry is helpful.

Items like granola bars, boxes of cereal, bags of chips, and trail mix can make for excellent snacks to bring on a cruise.

30. Leave the giant stroller at home

While you might have the latest and greatest stroller at home, consider packing something smaller while on a cruise ship.

We recommend bringing an umbrella stroller on a cruise ship, as these are much easier to navigate around the ship compared to a bulkier option.

Dining tips

31. Tips for picky eaters

Kids can be very picky about what they will eat.

The Windjammer is always a go-to option for picky eaters, as you’ll find kid-friendly food like pizza, french fries, hamburgers, and pasta available every day.

The Main Dining Room has a kids menu available every evening, with options like chicken noodle soup, chicken fingers, and grilled cheese sure to be enjoyed by even the pickiest of eaters.

If you want to dine with your kids at a sit-down restaurant, you can always bring food in from another restaurant (such as pizza or chicken nuggets). Most waiters will even go as far as to grab something simple like pizza from another restaurant for the kids.

Something else you can do is ask your head waiter for additional options for the kids. In the Main Dining Room, they can customize a lot of options; just give them a heads up in advance to ensure the chefs have enough time to prepare something.

If all else fails, grabbing a slide of pizza from Sorrento’s is sure to keep your kids satisfied.

32. Kids can order off the adult menu at specialty restaurants

Even though kids can dine at specialty restaurants at a reduced cost, the waiters do not mind offering your kids the same options as adults.

Specialty restaurants have kids menus, but if the kids want something off the adult menu, there is rarely an issue with doing so (even at their lower price).

33. Take kids to the Windjammer for dinner before Adventure Ocean

One of our best strategies for cruising with kids is to bring the kids up to the Windjammer for dinner, then take them to Adventure Ocean for the evening.

After that, the adults can go to dinner wherever they like. There’s no need to sacrifice dining options to please your kids when you can get the best of both worlds!

Adventure Ocean tips

34. Register for Adventure Ocean on the first day

On the first day of the cruise, be sure to head up to Adventure Ocean to sign your kids up as soon as registration opens.

Not only does this knock out an important must-do, but it ensures you can get up there before lines develop later on. Moreover, you don’t want to be that parent in line to register your kids while all the other families already did so and just want to drop their kids off.

Unfortunately you cannot pre-register your kids online before the cruise, but head up there on day one in the afternoon during the Adventure Ocean open house to meet the staff, get questions answered, and avoid time wasted later.

35. Bring kids to Adventure Ocean on the first day

After you register your kids for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day, encourage them to attend the first evening’s session. Just like at school or in extracurricular activities, the first day is often when friendships and cliques are formed.

It’s recommended to attend on the first day of the cruise so kids can make friends right away, especially for older children or kids who tend to be shy.

36. Our favorite nursery tip: call ahead

If your baby is ready for a nap, call the nursery and see if you can drop them off. The nursery is open throughout the day and in a lot of cases, they have availability in the morning and afternoon because most parents book up evening hours.

What I would do is call the nursery and ask if I can drop my child off. I’d let them know my kid is ready for a nap, and to provide whatever pre-nap routine they need (i.e. bottle, stroller, etc.) and to put them down for a nap and call me when they wake up.

This frees up both me and my wife so we can enjoy some time aboard while my kid takes a nap, instead of one of us being stuck in the cabin with them.

37. You can leave your kids in Adventure Ocean while you go on a shore excursion

It may feel weird to leave your kids on the ship while you go ashore, but you can safely use this option if you prefer.

Some excursions may not be open to kids under a certain age, or perhaps your kids just want to hang out onboard instead of go on a tour. Whatever the reason, Adventure Ocean is open while your ship is in port.

If your tour begins early in the morning before Adventure Ocean is set to open, let the staff know the day before and if it is a Royal Caribbean excursion. They can ensure someone will open up Adventure Ocean for you.

38. Bring kids to the Play Place

With limited space in a cruise ship cabin and other public areas on the ship, it can be difficult to find the best area for kids to run and play freely.

Select Royal Caribbean ships have a Play Place room in Adventure Ocean, which is an indoor, open play area where kids can run around, play with toys, and get any excess energy out onboard.

The Play Place is unsupervised, so children must be supervised by an adult while at the Play Place, and using the space is free of charge.

39. Know the difference between the old and new Adventure Ocean

There are two types of Adventure Ocean programming available on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

The first is the "original" rendition of Adventure Ocean, which divides kids into the following age groups:

• Royal Babies & Tots (6-36 months)
• Aquanauts (3-5)
• Explorers (6-8)
• Voyagers (9-11)
• Teen club (12-17)

The new rendition of Adventure Ocean has different age groups:

• AO Babies (6-36 months)
• AO Juniors (3-5)
• AO Kids (6-12)
• Teens (13-17)

The “old” Adventure Ocean focuses more on organized play, whereas the new rendition of Adventure Ocean gives kids more flexibility in what they would like to do. Each Adventure Ocean style has arts and crafts, video games, sports, talent shows, science labs, and more fun-filled programming.

40. Look for family activities scheduled in Adventure Ocean

While Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean kids-only programming, there are select scheduled activities for families throughout the cruise.

Activities like crafts, science lab programs, and family-friendly movies may be offered throughout the cruise for the whole family. You can check for scheduled activities in the Royal Caribbean app.

41. Understand the extra charges at Adventure Ocean

While the majority of Adventure Ocean programming is complimentary, there are two exceptions.

Any childcare for kids aged 6-36 months in the nursery comes at an hourly charge. This charge is $6 per hour from 9 AM to 6 PM and $8 per hour from 6 PM to midnight.

In addition, childcare for ages 3-11 from 10 PM to 2 AM is charged at an hourly rate of $7 per child.

Miscellaneous tips

42. Pack everything you’ll need on day 1 in your carry-on bag

Be sure to drop your luggage off with the porters at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom, so there's no need to lug suitcases around the ship for several hours until the stateroom is ready.

However, you'll want to make sure you have a day bag packed with any essentials you'll need on the first day of the cruise.

Luggage may not get delivered to your stateroom until 4 or 5 PM on embarkation day, so make note of what you'll need handy that first day.

Diapers, toys, swimsuits, and important documents are all great things to place in your carry-on bag.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

43. Download movies and videos before you sail

While there are countless activities for kids to enjoy on any Royal Caribbean cruise, sometimes all your kids might want to do is watch a movie in the cabin.

Download movies from Netflix onto your phone, computer, or tablet before the cruise to ensure you have entertainment options for your kids when necessary. You can also download YouTube videos to watch offline as well.

While you can technically stream Netflix and YouTube if you have an internet package, there’s no guarantee that the internet will always be working properly, so it’s best to download entertainment you can watch offline.

44. Have a movie night at the pool

There is a movie screen on the pool deck of most Royal Caribbean ships*, and family-friendly movies are shown every evening of the cruise at no additional cost.

Watching a movie on the pool deck can be a fun activity for the whole family, and a different movie is shown each night of the cruise.

BONUS: If you’re cruising on a Radiance Class cruise ship, there is an indoor cinema onboard with 5 showtimes per day, every day of the cruise.

*The movie screen is at the AquaTheater on Oasis Class cruise ships (excluding Wonder of the Seas).

45. Set expectations with kids and their freedom onboard

Setting expectations with your kids before the cruise is important to ensure there aren't any problems during the sailing.

Kids find they have a lot more freedom on a cruise ship compared to their day-to-day life, and it can be challenging to find a balance between supervision and allowing kids some self-exploration.

Decide what works for you and your family in terms of letting kids explore on their own, and make sure your kids also understand that there is a curfew for passengers under 18 at 1 AM each night.

46. Slow down your cruising routine

Even though there is a plethora of activities available at any given time on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you don't have to do them all at once.

It may be tempting to plan every day from sunrise to sunset, but make sure to take some time to relax.

Slow down your cruising routine so that you and your family don't feel exhausted at the end of the day.

47. Use the complimentary life jackets

All Royal Caribbean cruise ships have complimentary life jackets available on the pool deck. There’s no need to pack floaties for your kids to use onboard. Instead, just borrow a life jacket and enjoy stress-free swimming at the pool.

Complimentary life jackets are also available at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Note that life jackets are not able to be brought off the ship and into port. If you plan on bringing your kids to the beach, you may want to consider packing your own life jacket, floaties, etc.

48. Don’t forget the muster drill

One of the first things you’ll have to do on embarkation day is complete the muster drill. This safety drill involves three steps: watching a safety video, listening to the sound of the ship’s emergency horn, and listening to a short safety briefing at your muster station.

You can do the first two steps before getting onboard, but you’ll have to visit the muster station in person to complete step three.

It can be pretty hectic when boarding a cruise ship with kids, and they’re most definitely going to want to head immediately to the water slides and pool. We recommend, however, finishing the muster drill process as soon as possible once onboard so you don’t have to worry about it later on in the day.

49. Keep kids safe around the railings

Always keep an eye on your children when they are near railings, balconies, or windows. Kids love climbing and exploring, and they can quickly get themselves into a dangerous situation if you’re not careful.

Never leave young children unattended on a balcony or the pool deck.

50. Lines for the free activities are long

Not going to sugar coat this one: lines for laser tag, water slides, and ice skating get pretty long.

If you want your kids to try them, I'd recommend getting in line early.

Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before an activity is scheduled to begin to ensure you're among the first in line.

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I booked a cruise to one of the world’s most jaw-dropping destinations, but my balcony’s view was blocked by a bright orange lifeboat.

Would you ever book an obstructed view cabin on a cruise? These cabins, while identical to others on the inside, have a partially blocked view of the outdoors. Most commonly, the obstruction is caused by a lifeboat or other structural element on the ship.

Obstructed staterooms are frequently noted as “cabins to avoid” by cruise experts, and the partial view can be an unwelcome sight on a special vacation, especially if you didn’t expect it.

Having been on nearly thirty cruises, I always tried to avoid obstructed cabins. Yet on a recent 7-night cruise to Norway aboard Celebrity Silhouette, it was the only balcony option within my budget.

I figured any view was better than no view at all, so I gave it a shot as I sailed through Norway’s majestic fjords.

This is what it was really like to cruise in an obstructed balcony cabin, and whether or not I would do it again.

Originally I booked an interior cabin for my Norwegian fjords cruise. Five months before the sailing, I regretted my decision

As someone who cruises on a budget, I typically book interior cabins. While there’s nothing fancy about a closet-sized cabin without a window, the savings of the cheapest option are hard to beat.

When I originally booked my Celebrity Silhouette cruise to Norway, I booked an interior cabin for $1,830. The price included the cruise fare for two adults along with taxes, port fees, and gratuities.

Related: Inside cabin vs. balcony cabin on a cruise ship

While booking the cruise, I really wanted to book a balcony room, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t in the budget. I knew my cruise to Norway would incur additional expenses compared to a cruise departing from North America.

My airfare would be more expensive and, given the distance from home, I also wanted to budget for a few extra days in the Netherlands—the embarkation country—after the cruise ended. Additionally, Norway is one of the world’s most expensive destinations, so I needed to make sure I could budget for shore excursions, souvenirs, and food in port, too.

In the months leading up to my sailing, though, I started to regret my decision to be as cheap as possible. Cruises to Norway offer spectacular views not only in port, but also when sailing from place to place through the fjords.

I didn’t want to miss out on any of the beauty while in my windowless cabin, but I knew I wouldn’t want to spend the whole cruise on outdoor public decks, either.

Unfortunately, no regular balconies were available—my only economical choice was the obstructed option

I toyed with the idea of upgrading to a balcony for a few days, and I emailed my travel agent for options. Yet with just five months left before my sail date, she informed me that there were no more standard balcony cabins available.

Instead, I had two options.

The first was the obstructed cabin, which Celebrity calls a Partial View Veranda. For the week, this cabin would cost $2,686, or $856 extra compared to my interior cabin. It came with all the same amenities and perks as the cabin I already booked, aside from the addition of a balcony.

The second, and more expensive option, was a non-obstructed balcony cabin in Celebrity’s Aqua Class. At $3,723 for the week—$1,893 more than the interior room—the cabin included perks like meals at an exclusive restaurant, Blu, and complimentary access to the thermal suite.

Related: Celebrity Cruises guide: Ships, itineraries, tips & more

Still budget-conscious, the decision was a no-brainer for me. Paying $856 extra for an obstructed balcony didn’t seem outrageous. I figured that any view was worth it when cruising around somewhere as wonderful as Norway.

On embarkation day, I was worried the view would be completely blocked by a lifeboat

Obstructed view cabins vary greatly from cruise line to cruise line, and even from ship to ship within a particular line.

Sometimes there’s no telling how badly your view will be obstructed. Deck plans only tell you so much, and unless you’re lucky enough to find a video tour of your specific cabin online, you might be walking into the room blindly.

As I boarded Celebrity Silhouette in Rotterdam, I felt nervous. Would the $856 I spent on the Partial View Veranda be worth it, or would the view be completely ruined by an obstruction?

Fortunately, the view was less obstructed than I thought it would be

As I walked into cabin 6186 for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I could see from my obstructed view balcony.

As I expected, a lifeboat was in front of my balcony, but the balcony was a few feet higher than the lifeboat. Because of this, there were no major obstructions when standing on the balcony and looking toward the horizon.

Related: 8 reasons a balcony cabin is worth it to book on a cruise

Sitting on the balcony’s loungers, however, gave a more obstructed view—the lifeboats were directly in line with my eyesight. Additionally, looking straight down was not possible due to the lifeboat.

I did notice that the heights of the lifeboats differed from each other, and mine was slightly higher than the lifeboat next door.

Nevertheless, I was happy the view was only partially obstructed. Sure, that giant lifeboat would always be in view, but given its height, I felt confident it would never be completely in the way of Norway’s scenery.

Inside, I found the cabin cozy and spacious

Aside from the balcony, my cabin’s overall condition was excellent. The room had a good amount of walking space, but I wished there were more storage options and additional outlets to charge my electronics.

When I cruise in interior cabins, I try to spend as little time as possible in my room. There’s really no reason to hang out in a dark, windowless stateroom, so I'm usually in the cabin only to shower, sleep, and change.

Yet when I cruise in balcony cabins, I spend a lot of time in the room. I love having a private outdoor space to call my own, so much so that I have to force myself to leave the cabin to try other activities onboard.

Because of this, I was happy to see that my cabin on Celebrity Silhouette was relatively modern and well-kept. The light furnishings kept the room bright, and I loved having a sofa next to the balcony door so I could enjoy the views from the warmth of my room.

The bathroom was roomier than most cruise bathrooms I've stayed in, and because Celebrity is a premium cruise line, it came stocked with body wash, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

Related: 7 bathroom hacks to use in your cruise ship cabin

I had minimal complaints with my cabin overall, but I wish the room had more storage space and better outlet locations.

Storage was limited, with only four drawers near the desk and two shelves above the bed (which I found hard to reach). There were no shelves in the closet, so it only worked for hanging clothing, making the space less functional. As far as outlets, the only ones in the cabin were near the desk, which was not convenient for charging my phone at night.

Despite the few faults, I was still happy with my choice to book an obstructed view cabin as we set sail toward Norway.

Having a balcony enhanced my Norwegian fjords experience, but the obstruction wasn’t totally ideal

As Celebrity Silhouette approached Norway, it was officially time to put my obstructed balcony cabin to the test. While I did not mind the slight obstruction on our first sea day, I was curious whether the lifeboat would seem more cumbersome while sailing through the Norwegian fjords.

After four port days in Norway, I came to the conclusion that the upgrade to a balcony was still worth it even if it came with a few downsides.

I won’t lie—if I sat on the chairs on my balcony, the view was more obstructed than I would have preferred. At eye level, most of my view was blocked by not only the lifeboat, but also the balcony railing.

Most of the time, therefore, I preferred standing near the railing to watch the scenery.

When doing so, I didn’t feel as if the lifeboat made my view any “worse” than what I could have seen with a regular balcony.

I also appreciated the natural light the balcony brought into the room, and watching the scenery from my bed was incredibly relaxing.

That being said, I still headed to the ship’s upper decks from time to time for a more complete view. Even though I had my own private balcony, there’s no denying that the outdoor decks provided a more panoramic view of the Norwegian fjords.

Whereas my balcony had views on one side of the ship, I could see scenery on both sides of the ship from Celebrity Silhouette’s upper decks. I could also take better landscape pictures from these decks, as the lifeboats were always in the way when I took photos from my balcony.

I wouldn’t hesitate to book an obstructed cabin again, but I’d pick a regular balcony first

All in all, the cabin was far less obstructed than I initially thought. While not everything was perfect about my Partial View Veranda, it was still a worthy investment. At $856 extra, upgrading from an interior room to the obstructed balcony wasn’t a budget-breaker, and it certainly enhanced my cruise overall.

If I had to pick between an obstructed balcony and a regular balcony, I would, without a doubt, choose a regular balcony. When checking prices on Celebrity’s website, I noticed that the price difference between the two cabin categories is often negligible. Sometimes, it’s even the same price!

I could see choosing the obstructed view if it were several hundred dollars cheaper, or if it was the only balcony option available. If a regular balcony was available for the same price, there would be no reason to book an obstructed view.

In my scenario, I didn’t have an option due to the fact that I decided to upgrade just a few months before my sail date. Even still, I do not have any regrets about booking the obstructed balcony cabin, and I would book it again if it were the only option.

Norway was even more stunning than I could have ever imagined, and I relished every opportunity I could to view the country’s extravagant landscapes—lifeboat in the way or not.