Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea.
Bimini, Bahamas may not be as popular of a cruise port as nearby Nassau or Perfect Day at CocoCay, but the small island chain still has a lot to offer visitors.
Located just 51 miles off the coast of Florida, Bimini is a chain of islands with turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and laid-back culture. It’s so close to Florida, in fact, that you can easily take day trips to the islands’ stunning beaches from Miami or Fort Lauderdale!
If your upcoming cruise visits Bimini, it’s helpful to know what there is to do in port to make the most of your day. From snorkeling around a shipwreck to jet skiing along the coast, here are the 21 best things to do in Bimini, Bahamas.
Like most cruise destinations in the Caribbean, visiting the beach is a popular activity. Many of the best beaches on Bimini are found on the western shore of North Bimini.
One of the most popular beaches is Radio Beach, which is located closest to Alice Town, Bimini’s largest town. At Radio Beach you can expect clear blue waters and soft white sand, and the beach has excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Related: 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent at Radio Beach and you’ll find bars and restaurants nearby. Outside of Radio Beach, visitors can enjoy other beaches such as Blister Beach, Paradise Beach, and Spook Hill Beach.
Resorts World Bimini is an upscale resort featuring facilities such as a beach club with pools, a casino, DJs, cabana rentals, and beach access. Located only ten minutes on foot from the cruise port in Bimini, many visitors choose to spend their day lounging in the sun at Resorts World.
To access Resorts World guests must purchase a day pass, which is around $40 USD per adult and $30 USD per child. The day pass gives visitors access to amenities at the Hilton at Resorts World as well as the beach and pools at Resorts World.
For those looking for a Las Vegas-style pool party experience, Resorts World is a great option. Several restaurants and bars are on-site for added convenience.
Note that Resorts World Bimini Beach is home to Virgin Voyages’ Bimini Beach Club, but passengers from other cruise lines can use the facilities when a Virgin Voyages ship is not docked.
Snorkeling is an easy way to get up close and personal with the diverse aquatic life in The Bahamas, and Bimini offers a wide array of snorkeling opportunities.
If you’re looking for a guided snorkeling tour, you can book a day trip through Bimini Scuba Center for $99. During this tour you can visit underwater destinations like the S.S. Sapona Shipwreck and Rainbow Reef.
If you don’t want to shell out money for a snorkeling tour, feel free to bring your own snorkeling gear to the island. We recommend this mask for snorkeling, as it offers a full-face view and is easily packable in a day bag.
A few miles off the coast of Bimini is the S.S. Sapona, a half-submerged shipwreck providing world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities.
Following a hurricane in 1926, the S.S. Sapona was left damaged, and it was later used for bombing practice during the Second World War. Because the wreck is only half-submerged, snorkelers and divers can explore both above and below the water.
Related: Bahamas cruise guide
The ship’s “skeleton” is home to a variety of marine life, from stingrays to sea turtles, schools of fish, and colorful coral. Exploring the shipwreck is sure to be a highlight of any visit to Bimini.
If breathing underwater is more your style, Bimini offers several scuba diving options to explore under the sea. Certified scuba divers can book dives through the Bimini Scuba Center in North Bimini—dives include tanks and weights.
Diving around Bimini is fantastic. The clear waters allow for great visibility and give divers the chance to spot sharks, dolphins, turtles, and swim near continental shelf walls.
A popular snorkel site in Bimini is the Bimini Road, often called the “Road to Atlantis.”
The “road” is a half-mile underwater rock formation in perfectly straight alignment. Since the road’s discovery in the 1960s, some have speculated it could be an ancient road to the Lost City of Atlantis, although we cannot, of course, verify those claims.
Many snorkel and diving tours in Bimini visit Bimini Road, so if you’re interested in discovering “Atlantis,” this can be an intriguing excursion option.
Few bike rides are as relaxing as those by the sea, and you can rent a bicycle for just $25 per day in Bimini.
Eclipse Rentals Bimini offers bike rentals and tours around the island. For those looking to explore the entire island of North Bimini, a bicycle can be a fun, eco-friendly option. Exploring by bike allows you to stop at whatever attractions or beaches interest you without having to worry about taxis, shuttles, or tours.
A bicycle is freedom on two wheels, and renting a bike while visiting Bimini is highly recommended.
If powering a bicycle sounds like far too much exercise on your vacation, consider renting a golf cart. Golf carts are effective means of transportation to get around an island as small as Bimini, and most rentals should cost between $90-110 for the day.
When splitting the cost with a group of four or six, a golf cart is an economical way to explore Bimini. As another plus, it gives you full control over where you would like to visit on the island and how long you want to spend in each place.
Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
Whereas some cruise passengers prefer exploring ports on their own, many appreciate the convenience of a guided tour. If you’re looking for an all-around island tour of Bimini, why not book an organized excursion?
Bimini Island Tours is a local operator that offers tours of North Bimini and South Bimini. Tours bring guests to highlights around the islands, from shipwrecks to beaches, the straw market, and Dolphin House Museum.
Booking a tour means you don’t have to plan anything yourself. You can simply disembark your cruise ship, meet the tour guide, and have a memorable, stress-free day in Bimini.
Nothing screams vacation quite like a fruity cocktail near the beach, and grabbing a drink (or a few drinks) is certainly a fun way to spend your day in Bimini.
Whether you’re at the beach, eating lunch at a local seafood restaurant, or strolling around town, consider ordering a drink to put you into vacation mode. From fresh piña coladas to mango margaritas, a tropical cocktail will be extremely refreshing in the Bahamian heat.
As another perk, if you don’t have a drink package on your cruise ship, drinking in port can save you money compared to buying drinks onboard!
Some call Bimini the sport fishing capital of the world. The islands are located near the warm Gulf Stream in which fish can grow to record size. In fact, there have been dozens of record-setting catches around Bimini.
Whether grouper, snapper, bonefish, billfish, tuna, or wahoo, you never know which species of fish you’ll reel in. If you’re interested in fishing while in Bimini, we recommend contacting the Bimini Big Game Club to ask questions about fishing opportunities.
There is a free tram on Bimini that transports passengers to areas of interest along North Bimini. Located just outside the cruise pier, boarding a tram is easy and convenient, and it lessens the amount of walking required in the heat.
You can take the tram to Kayak Beach, Fisherman’s Village, Resorts World Bimini Beach, and Paradise Beach. Note that if you are interested in venturing further south to Alice Town and Radio Beach you must take a taxi (around $5 per person) or rent a golf cart.
The Dolphin House Museum is an ocean-inspired museum in Bimini that is a must-visit upon venturing into Alice Town. Built by local Ashley Saunders, the museum features artwork made from ocean materials including conch shells and sea glass.
For $10 per person, visitors can tour the museum and learn more about the building’s history and craftsmanship from Saunders. As a plus, the building’s roof features one of the most beautiful views in all of Bimini—it’s the perfect spot for that Instagram shot.
There are few aquatic activities as adrenaline-inducing as jet skiing. Zipping through crystal clear water at over forty miles an hour is undoubtedly fun.
Passengers interested in jet skiing while at Bimini can book a tour through Bimini Blue Adventures, or through the cruise line if offered. While on the tour, visitors can ride the length of Bimini’s stunning coastline, offering a truly unique way to experience the islands.
If jet skiing sounds a bit too thrilling, why not try kayaking? Tour operators such as Bimini Blue Adventures offer kayaking tours, and you may be able to book a kayaking tour through your cruise ship as well.
While kayaking off the coast of Bimini you can enjoy pristine waters and view aquatic life up close. Because of the clear waters, it’s possible you’ll see several types of fish and stingrays while kayaking, and it can be a lot of fun for visitors of all ages.
Related: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid
Trying local cuisine is a highlight of visiting any cruise port, and Bimini is no exception. From seafood to baked goods, your taste buds are sure to be delighted on your visit.
Here are some of our top food recommendations in Bimini:
Located on South Bimini island is the Bimini Nature Trail, a one mile looped pathway perfect for flora and fauna enthusiasts. Signage along the trail teaches visitors about the area’s wildlife and plant life, including the Bimini Boa and White-crowned Pigeon.
Unfortunately, visiting the nature trail while on a cruise ship can be challenging, as it’s not located on the same island where cruise ships dock. Nonetheless, if you find yourself in South Bimini near Bimini Cove Resort & Marina, the trail is a nice way to learn more about the islands’ natural world.
Yes, you read that correctly: you can swim with sharks in Bimini.
For most beach goers, sharks are something you want to avoid. Bimini, however, is home to a vast array of sharks, from hammerheads to tiger sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, and bull sharks.
If you’re crazy enough to want to see these sharks up close, consider booking a swimming with sharks tour. On these tours, boats bring passengers out to reefs known for shark activity, and allow snorkelers to swim above the sharks.
Sure, it might be a little scary, but it’s sure to be exhilarating.
Those in search of souvenirs should visit the Bimini Craft Center. This Bahamian straw market is where you can find a variety of knick knacks to remember your time in Bimini, from t-shirts to hats and bracelets.
It’s best to carry cash with you while shopping. Bahamian and US dollars are widely accepted.
Next to the Bimini Craft Center is the Bimini Museum, a complimentary museum which aims to preserve the history of the islands.
Inside the museum are artifacts, relics, stories, and pictures that tell the story of Bimini’s history, including memorabilia from Ernest Hemingway who once called Bimini home.
Visiting the museum in between shopping and the beach can make a nice addition to your day on the island, as it allows you to gain a better understanding of the region you are visiting.
Explorer Juan Ponce de León once heard rumors of a magical spring on Bimini that restored youth to the elderly who bathed in or drank the spring’s waters. Upon reaching Bimini from Puerto Rico in 1513, however, he neglected to find such a stream.
Nonetheless, there is a Fountain of Youth on Bimini today, although we can’t guarantee that it will reverse aging. Today’s Fountain of Youth is a small well carved out of limestone rock by groundwater several thousand years ago.
Wasting money is not on anyone’s agenda when planning a cruise, but unfortunately, thousands of passengers find themselves wasting money during their vacation.
Whether you’re a first-time or veteran cruiser, it can be challenging to navigate the ins and outs of going on a cruise. There is a lot included in your base cruise fare, but most guests onboard end up spending extra on add-ons like alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, and spa treatments.
What is “worth it” to one passenger may seem like a waste of money to another, but there are a few sure-fire ways to spend more than necessary. From purchasing forgotten items at onboard shops to buying photo packages, here are 17 of the worst ways people waste money on their cruise vacation.
Let’s say, for instance, a Deluxe Beverage Package costs $80 per day with gratuities added. With most cocktails priced around $16 each with gratuity added, you would have to drink around five drinks each day to break even.
Five drinks may seem steep, but when you consider how easy it is to enjoy a few drinks by the pool followed by a few glasses of wine at dinner, it’s not an unreasonable amount. In fact, many passengers find they drink far more than five alcoholic beverages a day on a cruise.
Related: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide
If you plan on imbibing all day, every day of your cruise, it would be a waste of money to purchase each drink individually. In this case, buying a drink package will allow you to enjoy unlimited beverages without raking up a massive bill by the end of your cruise.
Forgot your toothpaste at home or your favorite bottle of shampoo? You’ll be able to purchase these items on your Royal Caribbean cruise, but it won’t come cheap. It’s not unheard of to pay $10 for a small bottle of Advil or $8 for a tub of toothpaste onboard!
Unfortunately, shopping options are limited while in the middle of the ocean. Royal Caribbean knows desperate passengers will pay whatever price is listed if they find themselves in need of these items.
To avoid paying high prices for basic necessities, try to remember packing everything in the first place. If you do forget an important toiletry item, see if you can find it at a pharmacy or shop in port before buying it onboard.
Planning to dine at several of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants? From Italian fare to hibachi, New England-style seafood, and a Brazilian steakhouse, there is a wide variety of specialty restaurants to choose from while onboard.
Specialty restaurants come with an extra charge, and there are two ways to book these meals. The first is by making restaurant reservations individually on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website or in the app. By doing this, you can select the date and time of your reservation months in advance.
The second way to book specialty restaurants is by reserving a dining package. Royal Caribbean offers several dining packages, from the Unlimited Dining Package to the 3-night Dining Package. With a dining package, you cannot book dining reservations until you board the ship.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package
Booking restaurants individually ensures you can better plan your dining times, but it comes with one major con: a higher price. In most cases, booking a Royal Caribbean dining package means you can save money at specialty restaurants, as the price of the package is cheaper than booking reservations individually.
Therefore, if you plan to dine at several specialty restaurants during your cruise, it’s recommended to purchase a dining package to save money in the long run.
Regardless of whether your cruise docks in Cozumel, Athens, or Phuket, you’re likely to see an abundance of souvenir shops once ashore. And while some souvenir shops may offer local, handmade artwork and trinkets, the majority will not.
Before spending $20 on a “handpainted” magnet or $50 on a piece of “local” jewelry, try to ensure the souvenir is actually worth the cost. More often than not, you’ll see every souvenir shop selling the same souvenirs that arrived in bulk from a factory in another country.
While you can find locally-made souvenirs in port, it takes some extra digging.
Prone to forgetfulness? If so, be extra cautious with pool towels on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
While onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, passengers must scan their SeaPass card at a towel station to check out a towel. You are able to check out as many towels as you’d like, but there’s one catch: if you do not return a towel by the end of the cruise, each towel lost will incur a $25 charge.
Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to keep track of your pool towel onboard. We recommend returning your pool towels after each day of use. Having fewer towels checked out at once will help prevent any towel from becoming lost.
Each guest on a Royal Caribbean cruise can bring a certain number of drinks with them on embarkation day. By doing so, passengers can save money by avoiding purchasing these beverages onboard.
Each guest of drinking age is permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne to the cruise terminal on embarkation day. Passengers may also bring up to twelve standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroom, such as soda and sports drinks.
Related: 30 Do’s and Don’ts for the first day of your cruise
If you enjoy drinking wine or soda but did not purchase a drink package, you’ll almost certainly waste money by buying these drinks individually. Plus, if you prefer a certain type of wine or soda, there’s no guarantee your preference will be available on the ship.
It goes without saying, but you’re more likely to waste money than win money in the casino on Royal Caribbean. Although there’s nothing wrong with spending a few evenings gambling onboard, it’s better to go in with the mindset that you may lose money.
Of course, there is always the possibility of winning money onboard. It’s not unheard of for passengers to win thousands of dollars gambling on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Like any casino, though, you shouldn’t expect to strike it rich.
Shore excursions are among the most popular add-ons to purchase for a cruise vacation, but keep your options open. Even though booking tours through the cruise line is convenient, booking a similar excursion through an independent tour operator can be a lot cheaper.
Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
Before booking the first shore excursion you see, do some research. Browse websites like GetYourGuide, Viator, and TripAdvisor to see a wider range of tours available. Although booking through an independent tour operator will not offer the same protections as booking directly through Royal Caribbean, many passengers prefer the lower prices and wider range of options.
Speaking of shore excursions, another way people waste money on their cruise is by booking an excursion in every port.
When planning a cruise—especially as a first-time cruiser—it can be tempting to book an organized tour in every port of call. After all, if you’ve never been to a particular destination, a shore excursion is an easy way to visit the area’s highlights.
Nonetheless, shore excursions are not always necessary, and some passengers almost never book tours in port. Depending on where your cruise ship visits, it may be easier to explore on your own rather than book an excursion.
This is especially true in smaller ports, where the main attractions are within walkable distance to the cruise port. Skagway, Alaska, as an example, boasts more than enough to do without spending anything extra on a tour or ground transportation, and you’ll find similar scenarios in many European cruise ports.
Related: 16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions
Before spending hundreds on a tour of every port, research low-cost activities instead. You may be surprised to find enough to do without an organized excursion.
All Royal Caribbean cruise ships are equipped with an ATM, but withdrawing money from the machine can come with a hefty $6 fee per transaction.
One way to combat this is by using a debit or credit card that does not charge for ATM fees. In many cases, these cards will initially charge you and then reimburse any applicable fees at the end of the month.
While an ATM fee isn't huge, those small amounts can quickly add up.
Think twice before bidding on that $5,000 piece of artwork on your cruise.
Art auctions are a notorious activity on cruise ships, and they are extremely controversial. They promise a stellar investment on an original piece, and many passengers fall for the trap of spending way too much money on these paintings.
Related: What should you not buy on a cruise ship?
Although browsing the artwork can be fun—and the free champagne at the auction is a nice touch—bidding on artwork is arguably one of the worst ways people waste money on a cruise.
As soon as your ship sails away from port, be sure to put your phone into airplane mode. Even if your cell phone coverage includes international service, it will not include roaming coverage from a cruise ship.
A simple call to friends and family back home while at sea could quickly result in a $100+ phone bill. Additionally, if you don’t have any international coverage at all, taking your phone off airplane mode while in port can see similarly high charges.
Avoid wasting money on this unnecessary expense and remember to always put your phone into airplane mode while onboard. If you need to connect to the internet on a cruise, purchase a wifi package instead.
Read more: The simple trick to avoid thousands of dollars in cellphone charges on a cruise ship
It’s impossible to miss the photographers onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise; they walk around the ship and set up backdrops hoping to capture that picture-perfect image of your vacation.
These photographers will, more than likely, ask you to pose for a photo. Having a photo taken does not cost anything extra, but purchasing the professional photos comes with a steep charge.
An individual, 8x10 photo print on a Royal Caribbean cruise costs around $20. Photo packages are available to reserve in advance, but these aren’t cheap either, with a package of twenty photos priced at over $160.
There’s nothing wrong with purchasing a professional photo by which you can remember your cruise vacation, but modern phones can take pictures with excellent quality. If you’re cruising on a budget, it’s best to just use your phone’s camera instead.
If you're a Diamond member or above in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, however, you get one free photo.
You’ll find the Vitality Spa on every cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. While offerings may vary slightly from ship to ship, you can expect to see services such as standard massages, stone therapy, thermal suites, and facials available to reserve.
Spa treatments on Royal Caribbean are not cheap, with most 70 minute massages priced at over $200 per guest.
Depending on your travel style, a spa treatment may or may not be viewed as a waste of money. That being said, weigh your other options before booking a massage on the ship.
At some ports, you may be able to find massages priced much lower than onboard. Plenty of beach clubs in popular ports like Cozumel and Costa Maya, for example, offer in-house spa treatments for around half the price as onboard offerings.
If you’re flexible with massage options, booking a treatment in port can help you avoid wasting extra money onboard.
Some cruisers may swear by drinking the bottled water on a cruise ship, but in most cases, this is not only a waste of money, but worse for the environment, too.
Water on a Royal Caribbean cruise is safe to drink, and the cruise line provides unlimited glasses of water free of charge. Yet instead, plenty of passengers choose to purchase water bottles on the ship, which cost around $3 each.
Not only is drinking from plastic water bottles worse for the environment, but it’s a waste of money when considering you can enjoy unlimited water onboard anyway. And, even though bottled water is included in a drink package, it’s more environmentally friendly to bring a reusable water bottle and fill up the bottle from complimentary glasses of ice water instead.
Certain onboard purchases come with an automatic, 18% gratuity charge, including drinks and spa and salon treatments. When you reserve a $167 spa treatment, you will pay around $30 in gratuities upon checkout.
Likewise, 18% gratuity is added to drinks like cocktails and coffee beverages, too—each $14 cocktail will actually cost over $16.
Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn’t do
Because you are already paying tips with these purchases, you shouldn't feel the need to tip extra once onboard for drinks, spa treatments, and dining. If you would like to give something extra to crew members, you’re always welcome to do so, but remember that you already paid gratuities for these services.
The last of the worst ways people waste money on their cruise vacation is by waiting too long to book flights and hotels before the cruise.
If you are not within driving distance of a cruise port, odds are you’ll be flying to the departure city. It’s best practice to buy flights as far in advance as you can to ensure you have the most options and see the lowest fares.
Far too often cruisers wait too long to purchase flights for their cruise and see that prices have raised dramatically. No one wants to pay hundreds of dollars more than another passenger on a plane, so booking flights early can, in most cases, save you money.
Hotels are another pre-cruise expense that should be booked early. You may be able to find cheap last-minute hotel deals, but this isn’t always guaranteed. To avoid spending more than necessary for a pre-cruise hotel, book the hotel as early as you can, especially when traveling during peak season.
When you book a Royal Caribbean cruise, you have the option to book your flight directly through the cruise line, but should you?
Air2Sea is the name of Royal Caribbean’s flight booking system, and through Air2Sea you can purchase airfare that links with your cruise reservation.
Booking airfare through the cruise line comes with added perks, such as special promotions and 24/7 support in case of travel emergencies. It can come with cons too, including fewer airline options and added difficulty when making changes.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of booking your flight through Air2Sea versus booking on your own to help you determine which is the better option for your cruise vacation.
One perk of booking airfare through Air2Sea is that you may come across special fares and promotions.
Cruise lines will sometimes work with airlines to reserve seats on a flight in advance. By doing so, you can often find cheaper flights compared to booking the same itinerary on your own.
This past summer, for example, Air2Sea offered special deals for select flights to Seattle, resulting in cheaper flights than you could have found directly on the airlines’ websites.
Finding cheaper flights when booking through Air2Sea is not always guaranteed, though. More often than not, in fact, booking flights directly through the cruise line results in the same flight prices. If you can snag a special promotional deal, however, it can lead to nice savings.
Another money-saving perk of booking through Air2Sea is the program’s price guarantee. If you notice a lower airfare price on a major US travel website within 24 hours of booking a flight on Air2Sea, you will be credited the difference plus another 10% as onboard credit during your cruise.
Another benefit of booking with Air2Sea is that, in most scenarios, you do not have to pay for the flight right away. Instead, the cost of the flight is incorporated into your overall cruise reservation and is due at the time of final payment on your cruise.
With Air2Sea, you can book flights anytime between 330 and 4 days prior to your cruise.
Depending on the length of your cruise, final payment is between 75-90 days before your cruise begins, and this is when all fees are due on the cruise fare, taxes, and airfare.
Up until final payment, you do not need to pay even a penny for your Air2Sea flights, and you will not incur any cancellation or change fees either. This is hugely beneficial for travelers who may need to change plans, or for those who aren’t quite ready to shell out hundreds (or thousands) of dollars for their flights months in advance.
Of course, if you book your flights just a few weeks before your cruise, you will be required to pay for the flights at the time of booking.
Currently, Air2Sea charges a small fee when booking flights for your Royal Caribbean cruise. For travel within the United States and Canada, each passenger incurs a $15 fee, and for travel outside North America this fee raises to $25 per person.
While minimal, this fee will add to your overall vacation cost, especially when traveling with a larger group. That being said, the benefits of booking through Air2Sea may justify the small fee for many travelers.
Almost nothing about air travel is predictable, and if things go haywire, you may be at risk of missing your cruise altogether.
When flying to your cruise port, we always recommend flying to your departure port at least one day before the cruise begins. By doing so, you have enough wiggle room in the case of any unexpected travel delays or cancellations.
If things really go wrong while traveling, or if your flight itinerary did not allocate enough time for delays, you may miss the ship’s departure from port. In this scenario, you’ll be happy you booked a flight directly from the cruise line.
Related: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos
Booking a flight through Air2Sea offers what is called “assured arrival,” which means Air2Sea will work to get you to the next port of call should you miss the ship’s departure on embarkation day.
Air2Sea has 24/7 support available to help travelers as they fly to their departure port. If your flight gets delayed and will cause you to miss your ship, Air2Sea will work to find alternative options, such as flying you to the next port of call instead.
While beneficial, Air2Sea’s assured arrival practice is not perfect.
First, Air2Sea can only bring you to the next port of call where you can legally join the cruise ship. This becomes problematic on Alaska cruises, as passengers are not legally allowed to join the ship at a secondary port of call without being in violation of the Passenger Vessels Services Act.
Plus, there’s no guarantee there will be flight itineraries available within the necessary timeframe to get you to the next port of call, and it means your vacation will be delayed by at least one to several days.
Missing your cruise ship’s departure is not, by any means, a good way to start a vacation. Although Air2Sea can usually help navigate this problem by getting you to the cruise ship one way or another, the best solution is to simply book a flight that arrives with ample time to spare.
Regardless of whether you book your flights directly through the cruise line, booking flights that leave a day or two before your cruise should negate the effects of any potential delays.
Even if, as an example, your flight to Miami gets delayed five hours the day before your cruise, you’ll still get there well within your ship's departure time. If that same delay were to occur on embarkation day, you might miss the ship altogether.
If you book your flights correctly, you don’t necessarily have to book them directly through the cruise line. While Air2Sea’s assured arrival is beneficial, it’s unlikely that you’ll need this service if you have enough wiggle room for delays and cancellations.
If you book a flight directly through an airline, making changes to your reservation is easy. You simply need your confirmation number and can make most changes—or cancel the flight altogether—via the airline’s website.
When booking flights directly through the cruise line with Air2Sea, most changes must be made through Air2Sea. If you want to change your flight time, for instance, you’ll have to call your travel agent or Air2Sea to make the change.
Related: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation
Air2Sea acts as a “middle man” between yourself and your airline, and this might make changing your flight cumbersome.
Unfortunately, not all airlines are offered with Air2Sea, meaning your itinerary options may be more limited compared to booking flights on your own.
Southwest Airlines, most notably, is not available to book on Air2Sea’s website. This major airline serves all major cruise departure cities in the United States. By booking airfare with Air2Sea, you could be missing out on low prices and a wider range of flight itineraries.
Related: What is the earliest flight I should book after the cruise?
Budget carriers such as Frontier and Spirit are not available on Air2Sea, either. While we don’t usually recommend booking flights on a low-cost carrier, these cheap flights can occasionally be the best option, especially if they offer a direct flight.
Additionally, some cruisers find that there are not as many flight options on Air2Sea compared to searching for flights on a website like Google Flights. If you aren’t seeing your preferred itinerary on Air2Sea, you might have to contact your travel agent or Air2Sea directly to ask if you can book a different flight.
Another con of booking flights directly through the cruise line is that Air2Sea does not consider nearby airports.
When browsing for flights to the inaugural Icon of the Seas sailing in January, Air2Sea populates flights only to Miami International Airport. Although this is the closest airport to the cruise port, it neglects to search for flights to Fort Lauderdale, located just a short ride away.
Even though flying into Fort Lauderdale would not be as convenient, it could result in lower fares and/or more direct flights for some cruisers. Air2Sea does not search for these flights. Theoretically you could probably book a flight to Fort Lauderdale by contacting your travel agent or Air2Sea directly, but this adds an extra step to the process.
If you’re racking up thousands of frequent flier miles and plan to use them for your vacation, you’ll be out of luck when booking through Air2Sea.
When booking flights through the cruise line, you must pay with a credit or debit card. Using miles to pay for a flight is not allowed, so if you have a stockpile of miles, it may be best to book directly with the airline instead.
The good news is that you will still receive airline benefits by booking through Air2Sea, provided you connect your reservation with your airline loyalty number.
As you can see, there are several pros and cons to booking your flight directly through Royal Caribbean.
If you’re someone who values convenience and having all travel information in one place, booking through Air2Sea may be beneficial. You won’t have to worry about making multiple payments, navigating several different websites, and searching for the perfect flight yourself: Air2Sea and your travel agent can help you with everything instead.
And, if things go wrong while traveling, having the support of Air2Sea is undoubtedly helpful, especially if you’re flying to your cruise on embarkation day.
That being said, if you’re flying a day or two early to your cruise port, the assistance of Air2Sea may not come in handy anyway. Plus, you might become frustrated if you need to make any changes to your flight schedule, as in most cases you won’t be able to make changes directly with the airline.
When searching for flights for a cruise, it’s helpful to look at the options through Air2Sea and compare the flights with those you can find on Google Flights or on an airline’s website. While sometimes you can find a fantastic deal, other times it may be more efficient to book directly through the airline, especially if it’s an airline not offered by Air2Sea.
It’s no secret that Royal Caribbean is at the forefront of the family cruise experience, but how does MSC Cruises compare?
Twelve members of my family and I planned a vacation together this summer. We were disappointed in Royal Caribbean’s prices. Instead, we bit the bullet and booked a cheap sailing on MSC Cruises.
Despite the fact that my family usually cruises with Royal Caribbean, we couldn’t fathom spending double the price for what would likely be a similar experience.
MSC Cruises, a European cruise line based in Switzerland, has recently begun gaining traction in North America, yet reviews remain questionable at best. Some cruisers rave about the elegant ships and low prices, but others complain incessantly about the dining options and service.
My family and I remained cautiously optimistic, however, and I felt better having already had a positive experience on another MSC cruise a few months earlier.
After spending a week onboard an MSC cruise, here’s how we would compare the experience to Royal Caribbean.
When planning a vacation with a large group, it’s important to be cognizant of each person’s individual budget. While one member of the family might prefer a luxury vacation on Silversea, another is looking to get the best bang for their buck.
When planning our family vacation, naturally, we started by browsing Royal Caribbean’s website for July cruises. Seeing as though many members of my family had already sailed with Royal Caribbean, it made sense to book with the cruise line we were most accustomed to.
Yet when we started browsing cruises, we were disappointed with the high prices we found. Most 7-night cruises were around $1200 per person for interior cabins on older, smaller ships. If we wanted to book a newer ship in an ocean view or a balcony cabin, we would almost certainly be shelling out around $3000 per cabin.
Related: How much does a cruise cost?
Keeping our options open, we decided to check other cruise lines' websites and compare prices, but we were equally surprised by high prices on Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.
While we certainly could have booked a $1500 per person cruise, my family was hoping to keep the base cruise fare low in order to allocate our budget toward add-ons like specialty dining and shore excursions.
After striking out with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival, I decided to check MSC Cruises’ website to compare the fares.
As MSC grows within the North American market, the cruise line hopes to reel in new passengers with unbeatable prices, and that was exactly what they did for my family.
I found a cruise on MSC Seaside for just $593 per person for the week in an interior cabin. The cost of the cruise was half of what I found on Royal Caribbean and other mass market cruise lines—it seemed too good to be true, but it wasn’t!
Related: 45 easy ways to save money on a cruise
Plus, for just $130 per person we could add an alcoholic drink package and a two-device wifi package for each guest. That is completely unheard of on Royal Caribbean, as the equivalent drink package can be priced at over $70 per day.
Although I felt like I was “ditching” my beloved Royal Caribbean behind for something new, I couldn’t fathom spending double on the Royal Caribbean cruise. Excited to expand our cruising horizons, my family and I booked our cruise on MSC Seaside.
“Jenna, this app is terrible,” my brother texted me shortly after we booked our MSC cruise. “I can’t research anything!”
Something I love about cruising with Royal Caribbean is the stellar quality of the cruise line’s cruise planning process. In the days and months leading up to a Royal Caribbean cruise, I enjoy browsing the app and the Cruise Planner website to plan my cruise as much as possible.
From a seamless online check-in process to browsing restaurant menus months in advance, I find Royal Caribbean’s app to be of tremendous help when preparing for my cruises.
Related: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips
MSC’s app, on the other hand, is disappointing during the cruise planning process, although it gets better once you board the ship. When planning my MSC cruise, I encountered technical problems on the app and was limited in the amount of information I could research prior to the cruise.
Even once onboard, I was not overly impressed by the app. My family and I wanted to make a specialty dining reservation one evening, for example, and usually we like to browse the main dining room menus in advance. If a menu does not look appealing one evening, we will book a specialty restaurant that evening instead.
On MSC, however, you cannot browse menus in advance—they appear on the app just a few hours before dinner. While a small inconvenience in the long run, it was certain details like these where we found Royal Caribbean shined over MSC.
Like most cruises I take, I booked the cheapest interior cabin for my MSC Seaside cruise. Upon entering my cabin for the first time, I found it to be adequate and, when overlooking the bright pink color scheme, modern.
My cabin was a comfortable place to call home during my week onboard, and it had everything you needed in a stateroom: a king bed, closet, desk, vanity, and private bathroom. I could see where MSC cut costs in cabin design, such as placing a simple chair into the room instead of a plush couch, but it was not bothersome to me.
The cabin did not have as much storage space as you would find on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, but I still found the amount sufficient. I was cruising solo in my cabin, but even if there had been another guest with me, there would have been ample space left.
Something I appreciated in the cabin were the light switches to signal whether or not you wanted your cabin serviced. If I was leaving my cabin, I would press a button to let my stateroom attendant know they could enter my room, and vice versa when I wanted some privacy. This felt much more modern than Royal Caribbean’s double-sided magnets.
Overall, I found my MSC Seaside cabin just as nice as Royal Caribbean’s small inside cabins.
Every cruise line has stereotypes, from the party atmosphere of Carnival to the sophistication of Celebrity. MSC Cruises has several stereotypes, the most common of which is definitely the “bad” food.
Chances are, if you search for MSC reviews online, you’ll read many complaints about the cruise line’s food. However, in my experience on the two MSC cruises I’ve sailed on thus far, these negative reviews couldn’t be further from the truth.
My family and I were satisfied with the quality and selection of food on MSC Seaside. We found the Italian dishes—MSC’s specialty—spectacular, and enjoyed excellent meals in both the buffet, main dining room, and Kaito Teppanyaki specialty restaurant during the sailing.
Members of my family were split on whether they liked the food better on MSC or Royal Caribbean. While most thought they were comparable, some, like my brother, preferred dishes on MSC whereas others, such as my dad, thought Royal Caribbean’s food selections were better, especially those in the buffet.
Related: The best things I ate on my Royal Caribbean cruise
I find myself somewhere in the middle. Whereas I love the Italian pastas, breads, and pizza on MSC, I prefer Royal Caribbean when it comes to other international flavors, such as Indian and Mexican cuisine.
Comparing Royal Caribbean’s cardboard-tasting Sorrento’s pizza to MSC’s delectable Naples-style pies, it's no brainer which cruise line’s slice is better. Yet while comparing the amount of choice in food options and dining venues on Royal Caribbean to MSC, Royal Caribbean takes the cake.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of cruising on Royal Caribbean is the outstanding customer service.
I have never encountered service as helpful and friendly as on Royal Caribbean. While onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, I quickly lose count of the amount of warm greetings I receive from crew members. From a quick hello in the hallway to long conversations with bartenders, Royal Caribbean’s service makes every passenger feel welcomed and special.
On MSC Seaside, my family and I were not disappointed in the customer service onboard, but we weren’t blown away, either. Whereas on Royal Caribbean a table will be cleared in record speed at the buffet, this process seemed to take much longer on MSC Seaside. Ordering a drink took much longer than expected as well—the bars seemed to be understaffed.
Not everything was slow, though. When eating breakfast in the main dining room, for example, I was pleased with some of the quickest, most attentive service I’ve experienced at sea yet.
Outside of food and beverage service, my family ran into several issues with their onboard credit during our MSC cruise. The onboard credit they received when booking did not appear in their accounts, and, for some of my relatives, it took three trips to Guest Services before the issue was resolved. Later, we found out we had been charged for gratuities twice, necessitating another trip to Guest Services.
Although my family is not picky, and we recognize how diligently cruise ship crew members work, we couldn’t help but notice these slight differences in service.
I love the activity-filled, innovative designs of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, but one thing I don’t like about the fleet’s biggest vessels is the lack of ocean views. Most venues onboard ships like Wonder of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas face inward; on these cruise ships, it’s easy to forget you’re on a ship altogether.
And while I didn’t love everything about the design of MSC Seaside—namely, the atrium-design over a thoroughfare like a promenade—I did love the amount of ocean views.
Most bars onboard had floor-to-ceiling windows of the ocean, and restaurants such as Kaito Teppanyaki had a gorgeous layout with a full view of the ocean. I found myself spending most of my time onboard sitting by a window with a view, and these bars quickly became my family’s meeting point for a pre-dinner drink and get together.
My family’s vacation on MSC Seaside was free of screaming children… from our family, at least.
Like Royal Caribbean, MSC is a family-friendly cruise line that caters to passengers of all ages. You’ll find kid-focused programming onboard both MSC and Royal Caribbean, including complimentary kids clubs, zip lines, aqua parks, and waterslides.
The buffet even has a kids zone, which is a shorter buffet stand that allows kids to serve themselves. Unsurprisingly, this is where you’ll find the ship’s soft serve ice cream machine, hot dogs, and chicken fingers.
Related: 7 best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for kids
When comparing Royal Caribbean's new ships with MSC Seaside, I would say they seemed similar for kid-friendly fun. The only downside with MSC Seaside was that some activities, such as the zip line and bowling, come with an extra cost. Most activities, however, such as the waterslides, ropes course, and LEGO club, are included in the cruise fare.
One of the ports on my family’s Western Caribbean cruise itinerary was Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s private island in The Bahamas.
Like Royal Caribbean, MSC operates a private destination in The Bahamas, providing a picture-perfect beach day to guests. And, as is with Perfect Day at CocoCay, the island provides complimentary food and beach access, and drink packages work on the island.
When comparing Ocean Cay to Perfect Day at CocoCay, it was clear Royal Caribbean’s private island offered a wider range of activities. From Thrill Waterpark to the Coco Beach Club and Oasis Lagoon pool, there is more to choose from at CocoCay.
Ocean Cay, on the other hand, focuses almost exclusively on beaches. You won’t find a pool, waterpark, or adults-only retreat on the island. While there are a few shops and a suites-only area, the overall atmosphere is far more chill than that of Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Nonetheless, having fewer choices isn’t necessarily a bad thing. My family and I appreciated the low-key vibe of the island, and it was much quieter than the party atmosphere we’ve encountered at CocoCay.
As a plus, our stay at Ocean Cay included a sunset DJ party on the island, and staying on the island into the night was a unique experience you cannot have at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
I wouldn’t say one island is better than the other, but Royal Caribbean’s private destination offers much more than just the beach.
“If the prices are the same,” my dad explained on the last evening of our cruise, “I would book a Royal Caribbean cruise, but I wouldn’t pay double for Royal Caribbean.”
My dad’s quote just about sums up my family’s overall consensus about our cheap MSC cruise. For the price we paid, the value we got from our vacation was outstanding, especially considering we also had a drink package and wifi package.
Despite the fact that we preferred certain aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience, I don’t think it justified paying double for, all things considered, a similar experience.
If the price of a Royal Caribbean and MSC cruise were roughly the same, I would probably book with Royal Caribbean.
Even though MSC does status matching with Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, it still doesn’t beat the Diamond Plus benefits I receive through the Crown & Anchor Society, like free drinks and access to a private lounge.
The elevated entertainment, service, and greater variety of dining venues also gives a slight edge to Royal Caribbean. That being said, MSC offers more varied and intriguing itineraries than the latter, as they sail to destinations like Brazil, Dubai, and Namibia.
Whether sailing on Royal Caribbean or MSC, there’s no doubt a cruise vacation makes for an excellent family trip, and I’m grateful for the memories I made with my siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins on MSC Seaside. Personally, I feel MSC’s negative stereotype is unwarranted.
When we plan our next family cruise, we’ll likely check cruise prices on Royal Caribbean’s website first, but we will remain open to trying new cruise lines as well.
Curious just how much it will cost you to take a cruise? With the right information and some estimates, you can easily calculate the price to take a cruise.
Luckily, cruise vacations are quite affordable and cruise lines offer a variety of options at different prices that make a cruise economical for many families.
To help anyone budget for their cruise, let’s break down what to expect in terms of overall costs. Keep in mind that cruises are global, and we cannot possibly account for every scenario, budget, and cost.
To help give a ballpark idea of what to expect, we have an in-depth look at the cost of a cruise, from the base cruise fare to optional add-ons and typical costs you’ll encounter when planning a cruise vacation.
A cruise can cost anywhere between $550 for 2 adults on a 3-night weekend sailing to upwards of $80,000 total for a family to sail in the most luxurious multi-story suites. The cost of a cruise changes based on itinerary, ship, cruise length, number of passengers, and time of year you sail.
Cruise prices are also dynamic, meaning you can find a fantastic deal one day only to have the price increase the next. Knowing this, let’s take a look at a few sample prices of various Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries.
These cruises are pricing examples on the total (not per person) cruise fare of an interior cabin versus a balcony cabin for two adults:
The prices above should be used as a guide, but actual cruise fares may be higher or lower depending on day to day pricing.
One trend we're seeing are the costs of a cruise going up each year. The primary driver for higher cruise prices is demand. Demand has skyrocketed in the past few years, as we've seen reported in the cruise line's quarterly reports with Wall Street.
Other factors, such as inflation, better marketing, and interest generated by new cruise ships drive up prices.
There are other costs to consider when calculating the overall price of a cruise.
About $100-200 per person.
You have no choice but to pay port fees and taxes, which are lumped onto your cruise fare.
These are fees that the governments of various countries your ship sails to and from mandate, so it's a necessary evil.
Depending on which ports you visit, the costs can vary. The more port stops, the higher this will cost.
Standard cabin: $18.50 per person, per day; Suite: $21.00 per person, per day
Gratuities are charged automatically and it covers the service you receive onboard the ship.
You can have gratuities pre-paid, where Royal Caribbean charges you the full amount up front with your cruise fare and then there's nothing more to pay once onboard.
Alternatively, you can wait and get charged every night of the cruise to your onboard account.
Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn't do
Less than $100 if you live nearby; Up to thousands of dollars if flying
You should also factor in the cost to get to the cruise port and then back home again.
This could result in needing to pay for flights, hotels, and/or parking. There's also going to be incidental costs associated with this as well, such as meals along the way.
If you live close enough to drive to the cruise port, these costs may be quite low. But many people fly to their cruise, and that will add more to the price.
Before you try to save money by flying in the same day of your cruise, don't. This is a major mistake and could put your entire vacation in jeopardy.
How much you pay for a hotel can vary just as much as cruise fares, depending on the date of your trip, hotel brand, and other factors. Expect it to be around $200-$300 for a night.
If you are parking a car at the port, the price is probably going to be around $20-30 per day to park.
$100-400 per day
There are a host of extras you can add onto the cost of your cruise, and they're all discretionary based on your needs and preferences.
Shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, and wifi are just a few optional add-ons you can choose to buy for your cruise.
Royal Caribbean purposefully leaves these extras out of the cruise fare for two reasons: it helps advertise a lower entry price for the cruise, and not everyone wants to buy these items. Rather than include them in the fare, the line leaves it up to you to decide.
Royal Caribbean Group shared in a financial statement that the average guest spent $90-100 per person, per day on extras.
Cruise pricing is influenced by a number of factors, and knowing the trends of what makes one cruise more expensive than another can help you in the booking process.
Ship size and age: a 20-year old cruise ship will usually be significantly cheaper than a brand new ship. You should never book a ship based solely on price, though, as you want to make sure the ship you book has the amenities, activities, and entertainment choices you’re looking for in a cruise vacation.
Related: 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship
Length: You’ll pay far less for a 4-night cruise compared to a 10-night cruise. You’ll often find exceptions to this rule, however. 3-night cruises over the weekend tend to be more expensive than 4-night cruises during the week, and long transatlantic/transpacific cruises can have a much lower cost per day compared to other sailings.
Time of year: Cruising during peak season can see cruise fares up to double what the same ship and itinerary would cost in low season. For Caribbean cruises, you’ll find some of the lowest fares from late August to early November, the first two weeks of December, mid-January to mid-February, and in May.
Related: The best time to go on a Caribbean cruise
Supply and demand: While there are general trends when it comes to cruise pricing, there are no set price rules. Supply and demand will affect the price of any cruise, and you may find hidden deals based on low demand for a sailing you’re interested in, even on a newer ship.
The first decision you’ll make after selecting a cruise ship and itinerary is which cruise ship cabin to book. There is a cruise ship cabin for every type of traveler, from the most basic inside cabins to luxurious suites.
Here’s a general idea of what each type of cabin may cost you:
Interior cabins are the cheapest cruise cabin available. While they don’t feature a window and are usually smaller than other cabin categories, you’ll find some great deals on inside staterooms. You can expect to pay around $70-$160 per person, per night for an interior cabin.
Ocean view cabins are the next step up from an interior cabin and feature a porthole window. Prices for ocean view cabins are generally priced at around $110 to $197 per person, per night.
Balcony cabins are the most popular cruise ship cabin available, with each cabin having a private outdoor balcony space. You can expect to pay between $150 and $250 per person, per night for an ocean view balcony cabin.
Suites offer the most lavish accommodations available on a cruise ship. Prices can vary widely based on the type of suite you book, with prices ranging from $250 to $420 per person, per night for Junior Suites to between $650 and $1000 per person, per night for Owner’s Suites.
Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ship suites can be priced in the tens of thousands for a weeklong sailing.
Cruising solo? You’re not alone. Solo cruising has become more and more popular in recent years, and cruise lines are following the trend by offering studio cabins on their cruise ships, built for just one passenger.
Not every Royal Caribbean cruise ship has studio cabins, and those that do only have a few studio cabins which tend to get booked quickly. Why? Studio cabins do not incur a single supplement fee, which is a means of recouping the cost of a second traveler that would otherwise be in the stateroom.
Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Single and Studio staterooms
Having this fee waived in a studio room is a huge incentive for solo cruisers, and it’s common to find these cabins fully booked on most itineraries.
Studio cabins can be found on Anthem of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas.
It’s possible to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise and spend nothing extra onboard. While cruise fares are not entirely all-inclusive, as extras like internet and alcoholic beverages will cost extra–you’ll find more than enough included in your cruise fare to keep you satisfied throughout the sailing.
Your base cruise fare includes the following:
Related: What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
Taxes and fees will be automatically added to your cruise fare upon checkout, and the exact cost of taxes and fees will vary based on your cruise length and itinerary.
Gratuities are not included in your base cruise fare. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities when booking your cruise or incur a daily fee once onboard the ship. Royal Caribbean’s current gratuity costs are $16 per person, per day in standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $18.50 per person, per day in Grand Suites and above.
While there is no shortage of dining options, activities, entertainment, and amenities included in your base cruise fare, there are many add-ons you can purchase on a cruise vacation. While spending extra on a cruise is not required, it’s helpful to know what costs extra on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Outside of the complimentary drinks included in your cruise fare, you’ll pay extra for the following drinks on a cruise:
Related: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons
You can choose to buy drinks individually or purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package, which allows you to enjoy unlimited drinks during your cruise for one set cost. Drink package prices range from $62-78 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package, $30-38 per person, per day for the non-alcoholic Refreshment Package, and $13-15 per person, per day for the soda package.
Outside of complimentary dining venues on any Royal Caribbean ship are specialty restaurants. Specialty restaurants provide cuisines and cooking styles not found elsewhere onboard, such as the cruise line’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille, or Japanese cuisine at Izumi.
Specialty restaurants come in two categories: à la carte or a cover charge restaurant. À la carte restaurants include Playmakers Sports Bar and Portside BBQ, where you can expect to spend around $20 per meal. Cover charge restaurants offer more formal sit-down dining at a set price, and you can expect to pay around $25 for lunch and $50 for dinner at a cover charge restaurant.
Related: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
Like drink packages, Royal Caribbean also offers dining packages for use at specialty restaurants. 2-night, 3-night, 5-night, and an Unlimited Dining Package are available to purchase before your cruise.
Dining package costs are typically around $84.99 for a 2-night (Chops + 1) package, $115 for a 3-night package, and $225 for an Unlimited Dining Package.
Room service is not included in your cruise fare aside from a complimentary continental breakfast option.
Related: Royal Caribbean room service guide & tips
Wifi is not included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise, and the cruise line charges a daily fee per device. If you plan on purchasing wifi for your cruise, expect to spend around $20 per device, per day for the service. Note that two devices can use the same wifi plan as long as they are not logged in to the wifi account at the same time.
Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included
Purchasing shore excursions on port days is not required, but if you elect to book an organized tour, this will come at an extra cost. Shore excursion prices can range drastically, from $25 walking tours to $400 helicopter rides. Most tours will cost between $50 and $150 per person
You can book tours directly through the cruise line or through outside providers, with the latter often offering a lower price. Before booking a shore excursion through an outside company, though, be sure to review the pros and cons of not booking through the cruise line.
Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
Booking a shore excursion through Royal Caribbean provides more security, as the ship will wait for you if the tour runs late. Booking through an independent company–while often cheaper–does not offer this sense of security.
Alternatively, you can choose to explore a port on your own without an organized excursion. This is almost always a more cost-effective way to explore a destination, as you’ll often find transportation and sightseeing costs are quite affordable in ports of call.
Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
Getting to and from your cruise port is another added expense on your Royal Caribbean cruise. You’ll need to budget for flights, baggage fees, gas, parking, tolls, taxis, and any other transportation expenses needed to reach your embarkation port.
We always recommended that you arrive at your cruise embarkation port the day before your cruise departs. This allows for extra wiggle room in case of any unexpected travel delays. Arriving a day early will require booking a hotel room the night before your cruise, which could set you back between $150 and $400.
Aside from the major add-ons you may purchase for a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ll also need to consider budgeting for the following optional cruise costs:
If this article has taught you anything about the price of a cruise, it’s that a cruise fare can vary considerably. The good news? You’ll almost certainly be able to find a cruise to fit your vacation budget, whether you book a cheap interior room or lavish suite.
A rough estimate is to expect to spend around $2000 on cruise fare for a 7-night cruise for 2 adults. This can be more or less depending on cabin category, time of year you sail, etc., but it’s a great starting point for planning a cruise budget.
Of course, you’ll have to add on the cost of transportation, gratuities, and any discretional spending you do once onboard to the total cruise cost. However, a cruise vacation still offers a fantastic vacation value considering all that is included in your cruise fare.
No one likes making mistakes, but it’s bound to happen while traveling, especially over the course of twenty cruises.
In the past two years, I’ve spent 106 nights on cruise ships, sailing everywhere from the sunny Mediterranean to the tropical Caribbean and chilly Alaska. Even though cruising so often has taught me to avoid plenty of rookie cruising mistakes, I still have a few regrets from my time onboard.
Whether booking one itinerary over another, wishing I packed more efficiently, or booking a risky flight schedule, there are a few things I wish I did differently.
If you have an upcoming cruise, it’s helpful to know what to avoid during the entire process so that you can avoid stress and hassle later on.
After spending over 100 nights on cruise ships, these are my 8 biggest cruising regrets you should avoid making.
Latin America is my favorite region of the world, and I make it a point to visit the region as often as I can. Not only do I love practicing my Spanish skills, but the friendliness, diverse landscapes, and relatively low costs of the region keep me coming back time and time again.
Because of this, I tend to book Western Caribbean cruises far more often than cruises to other regions in the Caribbean. Not only do I get to visit some of my favorite ports on a Western Caribbean cruise, but these itineraries have fewer sea days than Eastern Caribbean sailings, and I’ll always take an additional port day over another day on the ship.
Yet on my most recent Western Caribbean cruise, I found myself getting bored with visiting the same ports over and over. While I enjoy visiting destinations like Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan, I’ve already been to the ports several times.
Related: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
I knew exactly what to expect in each of these ports, and I didn’t feel I was growing from the travel experience anymore like I would have if I were visiting new destinations.
I regret not booking more diverse itineraries in the Caribbean throughout the past few years. While I have been to Cozumel four times, for example, I’ve never seen the white sand beaches of Aruba, ridden the scenic train in St. Kitts, or hiked to a waterfall in Dominica.
I wish I chose my itineraries more wisely so I had the chance to visit a greater number of destinations.
On a recent Quantum of the Seas cruise, I decided to try My Time Dining for the first time. Unlike Traditional Dining, in which guests dine at the same time each day, My Time Dining allows guests to dine at a different time each evening, and I was curious to see how the two compared.
Yet as my cruise approached, I completely forgot to make My Time Dining reservations on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website. As soon as I boarded the ship on embarkation day, I headed to the Main Dining Room to figure out how to make reservations, but I found that availability was more limited than I expected.
Related: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining
Ultimately we were able to get a time sorted, but it caused unnecessary stress, and I certainly did not want to wait in the long “No Reservations” line each evening.
If I ever do My Time Dining again on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I’ll make sure I make reservations in advance.
I am a big advocate of using packing cubes when traveling. Packing my clothes into packing cubes allows me to fit far more clothing items in a small suitcase. As another plus, it also keeps my belongings organized while traveling.
For years I had been using a random pair of packing cubes I purchased on Amazon. There was nothing special or fancy about the cubes; they condensed my clothes slightly, allowing me to pack more easily.
A few months ago, however, my packing cubes needed to be replaced. I ordered a pair of “compression” packing cubes. To be honest, I didn’t really understand what these were, and I just purchased the first cubes I saw online from the reputable company Thule.
When I received them in the mail and tested them out, I was in shock with how many clothes I could fit into a single cube. There are two zippers on each cube, one for closing the pack initially and the other for compressing the items in the cube even further.
With compression packing cubes, I can easily fit around double the amount of clothes in my carry-on suitcase. I can’t believe I waited so long to try compression packing cubes! Now, I will never travel without them.
You can purchase the packing cubes here.
Select Royal Caribbean ships offer the chance to become PADI Open Water scuba certified onboard, which is an internationally accepted scuba diving certification. For those interested in scuba diving, doing the course onboard is a convenient way to become certified.
In the course, you first do a few training sessions in your cruise ship’s pools. Once in port, you complete your open water dives in the ocean to become certified.
Ever since my first cruise, I had been meaning to book the course and become a certified scuba diver, but I kept putting it off for one reason or another. Even after booking a “Discover Scuba” shore excursion in St. Thomas—one of my favorite shore excursions to date—I still kept putting off taking the course.
Related: Excursion Focus: Discover Scuba Diving in St. Thomas
An upcoming trip, however, has me regretting not becoming certified on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I’m headed to Australia this fall and didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.
Because I’m not scuba certified, I had to book a course in my city in order to be ready to dive once I get to Australia. Now, instead of learning to dive in warm, coral-filled waters, I’ll be taking the course in the frigid waters of a high alpine lake.
If I could go back in time, I would have completed my scuba diving certification on one of my cruises. Not only would I have been able to dive in some spectacular locations in the Caribbean, but I wouldn’t have had to book a last-minute course at home.
Last summer I booked the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find, a one-way itinerary departing from Vancouver, British Columbia and ending in Seward, Alaska.
Unlike other ports on an Alaska cruise, Seward is not located in the state’s famous Inside Passage. Instead, the port is in Southcentral Alaska, just two and a half hours from Anchorage.
Visiting the port is only available on one-way Alaska itineraries, and many passengers take advantage of the itinerary by planning extra days in Alaska before or after the sailing. Most of these visitors plan a trip to Denali National Park & Preserve, home to the highest peak in North America.
Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide
Some passengers plan this extra time on their own, renting a car and sightseeing without a guided tour. Others, though, opt to reserve one of Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Tours, which are multi-day sightseeing tours on land.
After an eight day trip I thought I would be ready to go home, so I didn’t bother planning extra days in Alaska’s interior. Although visiting Denali has always been on my travel bucket list, I figured I could come back another day.
Upon arriving in Anchorage, though, I immediately regretted not planning extra time in Alaska’s interior. On the day of my visit to Anchorage, there was a clear view of Denali’s peak, and I was awestruck by the mountain’s beauty even from so far away.
At this point I realized it was silly to try and rush home. I should have taken the opportunity to visit more of Alaska instead of waiting for a future trip that may or may not happen.
While I can’t go back in time, I wish I had planned extra time in Alaska after my one-way cruise.
When booking flights for my Symphony of the Seas cruise earlier this year, I made a decision I swear I’ll never do again—I booked a layover of just one hour.
If there’s anything that traveling across the country several times per year has taught me, it’s to always schedule more time than you think you need for a layover. As a general rule of thumb, I prefer booking layovers that are around two or three hours.
Even though a longer layover means more time waiting around in the airport, it’s worth it for the peace of mind. Layovers under an hour can be extremely tight, especially if you’re traveling through a busy airport or if your first flight is delayed! I would much rather hang out in an airport lounge for an extra hour than risk missing my flight.
Yet when I booked my flight to Miami earlier this year, I neglected to follow my own advice. I booked a flight with just a one hour layover in Salt Lake City—the itinerary would save me five hours of travel time, so I figured it was worth the risk.
Related: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise
When it came time to fly, my first flight was over thirty minutes delayed. Panicking, I soon realized I would only have around five minutes to catch my next flight before the doors closed.
Once in Salt Lake City, I sprinted faster than I ever have before to make my connection. Luckily I made the flight with about a minute to spare, but the shorter travel time was absolutely not worth the stress.
Since then, I will never book a layover under an hour in any circumstance, but especially when heading to a cruise port.
Speaking of packing lightly, one of my biggest cruising regrets was packing way too many clothes for my first Alaska cruise.
Although I have now been on five Alaska cruises, I was totally overwhelmed with what to pack for my first sailing to the Last Frontier. I ended up doing something I never do while flying—check a bag—and I basically put my entire wardrobe into the suitcase.
Once in Alaska, I realized just how big of a mistake it was to overpack. Unlike the hot, humid Caribbean, I found that being in Alaska meant my clothes stayed cleaner longer. I spent most port days in the same outfit: a pair of leggings, a sweater, and my rain jacket.
Related: Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing
There was no need to pack six sweaters, two sweatshirts, five long-sleeve shirts, a down jacket, a rain jacket, three pairs of jeans, and five pairs of leggings. In fact, I probably only wore about half of what I packed.
While overpacking meant I could have a wide selection of outfits to choose from each day, it ultimately created more hassle than it was worth. From paying for a bag fee to navigating Seattle’s public transit and walking around the city with a huge suitcase, I swore I would never pack so much for a cruise again.
Since my first Alaska cruise, I’ve only ever packed for cruises with a carry-on suitcase and a personal item. For more information on how I pack so lightly for these cruises, check out this article on everything I packed for my most recent Alaska cruise.
My last major cruising regret is sailing from the same embarkation ports all the time.
I do not live within driving distance of a cruise port, so that means I frequently fly to ports around the world. Although I could have used this opportunity to visit cities I had never been to before, such as Houston, Amsterdam, and Quebec City, I found myself booking cruises from the same ports over and over.
I’ve sailed from Fort Lauderdale and Miami more times than I can count, but I’ve never booked a cruise from New York, Baltimore, or Rome.
Because I always arrive a day before my cruise begins, I spend the first day of my trip sightseeing in the embarkation port. I wish I would have been more adventurous with my embarkation ports so I could have spent time sightseeing in a wider variety of destinations.
I’ve been on 12 cruises to the Caribbean, and I constantly see passengers making the same rookie mistakes over and over again. Whether forgetting to apply sunscreen or exploring ports without a plan, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid to ensure your cruise goes as smoothly as possible.
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise region in the world. With dozens of diverse ports, sunny weather, and picture-perfect beaches, a Caribbean cruise offers everything you could ever need in a tropical getaway.
Yet even though passengers hope for the perfect vacation, there are a few mistakes that can easily have a negative impact on your Caribbean cruise. Knowing what to expect before your cruise begins is helpful to avoid any surprises (and disappointments) during your vacation.
Here are the 14 mistakes I see passengers making all the time while cruising the Caribbean.
On my most recent Caribbean cruise, I found myself in need of small bills on every port day. Whether to tip a taxi driver, purchase a cheap souvenir, or order food from a street food stall, I was happy I packed enough small bills in my daypack.
Unlike in the United States, you may frequently encounter cash-only businesses in the Caribbean. While most restaurants and tour operators will accept card payments, smaller businesses—souvenir stalls, food trucks, and taxis—may only take cash.
Related: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?
I always recommend taking around $50-100 worth of small bills ($1s, $5s, and $10s) with you in Caribbean cruise ports. You might have difficulty breaking a $50 bill for a $3 souvenir or $2 bag of churros, so being prepared with small bills is recommended.
Without fail, you’re bound to see at least a few bright red, sunburned passengers on your Caribbean cruise. Not applying sunscreen often is one of the most rookie mistakes you can make, and it can severely lessen the enjoyment of your vacation.
I always recommend applying sunscreen before you disembark the ship, as there may be a relatively long walk on the pier to reach the port. By the time you get to the beach, you may have already been in the sun for a half hour, and this can lead to unwanted sunburns.
Once you’re in port, whether at the beach or walking around town, remember to regularly apply and reapply sunscreen. The sun in the Caribbean can be much stronger than what you’re used to back home even if it’s cloudy outside.
When most passengers picture a Caribbean cruise, they imagine white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and coconut trees swaying in the breeze. With some of the world’s most picturesque beaches, it’s no secret that a beach day in the Caribbean is a must.
That being said, one common mistake I see cruisers making while planning a Caribbean cruise is planning a beach day in every port.
While there’s nothing wrong with spending every day at the beach, it can be challenging to spend all day in the sun, especially on port-intensive itineraries. By the third or fourth beach day in a row, you might be exhausted, sunburnt, and ready to do something different.
Related: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
Instead of sitting on the beach every day, why not switch it up? Other than beach days, the Caribbean offers excursions to Mayan ruins, introductory scuba diving courses, cooking classes, historical walking tours, and more.
Skipping a beach day in favor of a more unique activity in port can be a nice break from doing the same thing every day.
Another common mistake cruisers make when booking a Caribbean cruise vacation is picking the wrong ship.
Not all cruise ships are created equal, even if they belong to the same cruise line. Royal Caribbean’s small Vision Class ships, for example, are vastly different from the cruise line’s newest, biggest ships like Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.
Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, and with that they offer varied activities, amenities, and atmospheres. If you’re hoping for the latest and greatest, look for a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis or Quantum Class ships, or on a vessel that has been recently amplified to add new activities and venues.
There is a lot that goes in to picking the best cruise ship for your vacation, so we recommend reading these helpful tips:
I never have much difficulty “winging it” in European or Alaskan cruise ports—I almost always show up to ports in these destinations without a plan and have a great day. Many ports in these regions are small and walkable, allowing passengers to simply walk off the ship and into town.
Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the Caribbean, and whenever I "wing it" in a Caribbean cruise port, I almost always end up disappointed.
In the Caribbean, it’s best to plan your port days in advance to ensure you know everything that’s available in port, allowing you to pick the most interesting activity for your travel style. Many ports in the Caribbean are not located near the destination’s most beautiful beaches or attractions, so booking a tour or taxi might be necessary.
Related: 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean
If you wing it, you might miss out on popular excursions, have difficulty arranging last-minute transport, or wind up trapped in a tourist area with thousands of other passengers.
Even some of the busiest cruise ports can be difficult to navigate without a pre-arranged tour or plan. Nassau, for example, has just a few attractions walkable from the cruise port, and most of the best beaches require a taxi ride and/or a day pass at a resort. It’s no surprise most cruisers wind up disappointed when they arrive without a plan.
While you don’t necessarily have to book an organized tour in every Caribbean cruise port, doing research ahead of time is recommended so you can properly plan your day.
It’s easy to get into the habit of booking Caribbean cruises to the same ports over and over, but if you cruise the Caribbean often, you should try something new.
There are three main itineraries for Caribbean cruises: western, eastern, and southern, and each has different highlights, from the tasty cuisine in Mexico to mountainous landscapes of St. Lucia.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, many cruisers find themselves booking the same region many times in a row, which means they are visiting the same few cruise ports several times.
Related: 4 great itineraries (and 1 to avoid) for a first cruise vacation
Instead of booking three eastern Caribbean itineraries, why not switch it up with a southern Caribbean itinerary that visits Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire? Or, if you always visit Mexico, consider a visit to ports like St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Antigua instead.
Exploring new destinations is a highlight of a cruise vacation, so make sure you don’t get stuck in the trap of visiting the same 3-4 ports time and time again.
Another Caribbean cruise mistake I see all the time is staying on the ship in port.
If you’ve never been to a port before, it would be a huge mistake to stay onboard instead of disembarking in port and exploring a new destination. Every port in the Caribbean is unique, and each island brings its own culture, history, and landscapes.
Whether visiting a volcano in St. Kitts, snorkeling in Roatan, or walking around Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, there are a wide variety of ways you can spend your time in port.
Even if you don’t have any plans for a port day, why not get off the ship for an hour or two to walk around? Most ports have at least a few things to do in the immediate port area, such as a pool, beach, or shopping district.
Disembarking in port will help lessen the chance of feeling stir crazy on the ship, and you can still return to the ship early in the day to enjoy the ship’s amenities with far fewer crowds.
Hoping to try the FlowRider surf simulator, ride your ship’s thrilling waterslides, or test your strength on the rock climbing wall? If so, you don’t want to save everything for a sea day.
Sea days on a cruise are an excellent time to take advantage of all the fun things to do on your Royal Caribbean ship, from rollerskating to indoor skydiving and bumper cars. With nowhere else to be, many passengers use a sea day in order to try these exciting activities.
As a result, these activities can be very busy on sea days. It’s not uncommon to see long lines around the ship as thousands of passengers hope to try something new.
Related: 10 mistakes to avoid making on a cruise ship sea day
Instead of saving all activities for a sea day, knock some of them off your list on a port day instead. When most passengers go ashore, there’s far less demand for onboard activities, leading to fewer lines (or no lines at all).
Even if you have plans to go ashore, you can still try these activities before or after exploring port. In fact, one of my favorite tips is to ride your ship’s waterslides after a beach day in port. You’re already in your swimsuit, and it’s possible to ride the slides several times in a row with little to no wait time.
I’m always shocked to see people cruise without travel insurance, and this is one of the most common mistakes I see people making while planning their vacation.
Travel insurance covers a wide range of scenarios, from trip cancellation to medical coverage and travel delay reimbursement. Most plans will also include medical coverage in your cruise ship’s onboard medical center, and this is not typically covered under your regular health insurance plan.
On one of my recent cruises, a passenger had to be airlifted in a helicopter to a hospital on land, and such an emergency situation can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you do not have travel insurance, you absolutely do not want to find yourself in this type of situation, but it might be out of your control in an emergency.
Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?
Additionally, while on a cruise, you may be participating in a wider range of activities compared to what you do at home. You might book activities like a hiking excursion in the jungle or a horseback riding tour on the beach.
Although these activities are safe, there’s always a chance of an injury when doing something out of the ordinary, and you’ll want to have travel insurance should you need to visit a doctor’s office or hospital while in port or onboard.
Caribbean cruise ports have no shortage of souvenirs for sale, and many cruisers enjoy shopping while in port. From magnets to t-shirts, handicrafts, and local liquors, there are endless amounts of souvenirs you can buy in the Caribbean.
Some souvenir shops have set prices on each item, especially those in the immediate port area, but the vast majority allow you to haggle to get the best cost.
A mistake I see many passengers making is accepting the first price they are told when purchasing souvenirs. If you’re shopping for a bracelet and are told it costs $30, always ask if you can buy it for less.
Not all souvenir sellers are flexible, but more often than not you can save up to 50% on the original price they offered. Neglecting to haggle in price could cost you hundreds of dollars in the long run!
On a recent cruise with my family, we were searching for a tour in Roatan that would visit the port’s most popular attractions, including West Bay Beach and the monkey and sloth center.
I had previously booked a tour with Bodden Tours, a locally owned tour company in Roatan, and so I browsed the company’s website again for my recent cruise. The tour that stood out to me was only $30 per person, a total steal when compared to many of Royal Caribbean’s shore excursions.
Upon further research, however, I realized I could book a private tour for $35 per person, just $5 more than the group tour.
Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
We were thankful to have booked a private tour during our day in Roatan, as it gave us complete flexibility over where we would go and how long we would stay in each place. Having a private guide is one of my favorite ways to spend a port day, and we found the tour provided an excellent value.
If you're cruising with a group, always check the price of a private tour versus a group tour, as the price difference may be negligible.
Before booking the first shore excursion that interests you, be sure to read the fine print. Not all shore excursions are made equally, and it’s always better to know what to expect rather than return to your ship disappointed.
Some excursions may offer a beach day, as one example, but the fine print may state that you only have two or three hours at the beach. If you’re looking to spend the whole day in the sun, it’s better to book a day pass to a beach club on your own instead.
Or, if a tour includes a “visit to local artisan shops,” it might actually mean the tour spends far too much time at souvenir shops and not enough time at more interesting attractions.
Related: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid
My favorite example of not reading the fine print on a shore excursion happened to me during a recent visit to Cozumel. I love visiting archaeological sites, so I jumped on the opportunity to visit Mayan ruins in Tulum during my port day.
I had read that the tour required a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, but I did not research more about the details before the tour began. If I would have researched more, I would have read that many passengers get seasick on the 30-minute ferry, and it’s not uncommon for people to vomit during the crossing.
As it turns out, we encountered extremely choppy waters on route to (and from) Playa del Carmen, and feeling seasick nearly ruined my entire experience. If I would have read more about the excursion ahead of time, there’s little chance I would have gone through with booking the tour.
There’s a lot going on while walking around a cruise port. As thousands of passengers disembark a cruise ship, it’s easy to become distracted by the various shops, restaurants, and crowded walkways near the port.
Due to this, one of the most common mistakes I see cruisers make is forgetting to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Regardless of where you are in the world, you should never lose awareness of your surroundings while traveling. Careless mistakes like leaving a purse hanging on the back of your chair at a restaurant or leaving a cellphone in a taxi can easily lead to these items being lost.
Related: Where to keep SeaPass card, phone, and cash while on a shore excursion?
It’s also a good idea to be responsible with making sure you don’t travel too far away from port. If you are only docked for a few more hours, avoid taking taxis to faraway destinations or walking too far from the port area. You might find yourself unaware at how long it will take you to get back to the ship, which could lead to you missing the ship’s departure altogether.
Remember to be cognizant of your belongings and schedule at all times while cruising in the Caribbean to avoid any mishaps.
A mistake I make far too frequently when cruising the Caribbean is neglecting to drink enough water. Between the excitement of exploring a new destination, the hot temperatures, and a few too many cocktails, I find myself dehydrated way more often than I should.
When cruising the Caribbean, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. You’ll likely be sweating far more than you’re used to, whether suntanning at the beach or walking around port in 90% humidity.
Make sure to drink enough water every day of your cruise to ensure your body stays hydrated. Drink a few glasses of water with each meal, bring a water bottle into port, and balance the amount of alcohol you drink with water to avoid feeling dehydrated during your cruise vacation.
I cruised to Alaska on Royal Caribbean’s old and new cruise ships, and the two experiences were drastically different. I visited more unique ports of call on the old ship, but the new ship offered more amenities. Although I wouldn’t say one cruise was better than the other, it’s important to know what to expect when cruising to Alaska on an old versus new ship.
Here’s how these two cruises compared.
One of the first decisions to make when planning an Alaska cruise is selecting a ship. Royal Caribbean sends four cruise ships to Alaska each summer—two Radiance Class ships and two Quantum Class ships.
Radiance Class vessels are the older of the two ship classes, having launched in the early 2000s. Quantum Class ships, on the other hand, were launched between 2014 and 2021.
Related: Royal Caribbean ships by age — Newest to Oldest
I cruise to Alaska nearly every summer, and I’ve cruised to the state on both classes of ships. Despite the fact that Radiance and Quantum Class vessels belong to the same cruise line, the overall experience can vary greatly.
Onboard amenities—like restaurants, thrills, and entertainment options—vary between the two classes. Likewise, you may find more port-intensive itineraries on older and smaller ships.
If you’re torn between booking an older or newer ship to Alaska, it’s helpful to know what to expect with each.
A few summers ago, I was itching to cruise to Alaska, and I found an insanely cheap deal at the last minute. The cruise was on Radiance of the Seas, a Radiance Class ship that launched in 2001. I paid only $1,146 for two adults in an interior cabin, including taxes and fees.
This brought the daily cost to just $81 per person, a steal considering what is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare.
After my cruise on Radiance of the Seas, I decided to book another Alaska cruise for the following summer. This time, I chose a newer ship, Quantum of the Seas, which launched in 2014.
Quantum of the Seas is not the newest Royal Caribbean ship sailing to Alaska—that title is earned by Anthem of the Seas, built in 2015. Regardless, the two ships are nearly identical, from their ship design to cabins and dining venues.
In total, I paid $1,856 for two adults in an interior cabin, including taxes and fees. This brought the daily cost per person to $132.
There are two main embarkation ports for Alaska cruises: Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington.
Royal Caribbean homeports Radiance Class ships in Vancouver each summer due to their smaller size, which enables them to fit under Vancouver’s Lions Gate Bridge. Quantum Class ships can technically fit under the bridge, too, but they have to wait until low tide to pass safely. This is not conducive to cruise itineraries, as they must wait until the middle of the night to pass.
Most Americans will find sailing from Seattle more convenient than Vancouver. There are more direct flights to Seattle from US airports compared to the latter. Not only that, but flights to Seattle may be cheaper, and those driving to the cruise port will not have to cross the border.
Related: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises
Nonetheless, sailing from Vancouver offers other benefits. Because the cruise starts in Canada, Alaska cruises from Vancouver are not required to make a port stop elsewhere in Canada on the itinerary. This means guests can visit more ports in Alaska on a 7-night cruise compared to those departing Seattle.
Plus, some cruises from Vancouver are one-way itineraries, allowing passengers to end their cruise in Seward, Alaska instead of returning to Vancouver. Many passengers choose these itineraries so that they can spend extra time in Alaska’s interior before flying home.
Personally, I found sailing from Seattle more convenient during my Quantum of the Seas cruise because I could book a direct flight. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Vancouver before Radiance of the Seas and preferred the one-way, port-intensive itinerary of the sailing.
Of all Royal Caribbean ships, I find Quantum Class ships to be the most beautiful. Royal Caribbean incorporated a modern, sleek design with these vessels, putting a focus on elegant, open spaces both indoors and outdoors.
Related: 7 things Royal Caribbean got right with Quantum Class ships
I loved the tall ceilings and wide open spaces on Quantum of the Seas, from the multi-story Two70 entertainment venue to the two-deck Royal Esplanade. The passenger flow on a new, modern cruise ship is much more efficient compared to that on older ships.
Radiance of the Seas has a traditional ship design. The hub of the ship is an indoor, multi-story atrium, which is essentially a large elevator lobby with bars, retail stores, and desks like Guest Services spread throughout the decks.
I am not a huge fan of the ship’s atrium design. Not only did it feel cramped, but sound traveled easier in the small area, leading to a lack of quiet spaces on the ship.
Your cabin becomes your home away from home on a cruise, and I loved my cozy interior room on Quantum of the Seas.
When I opened the door to my stateroom for the first time, I was pleased to see my interior cabin had a full-sized couch in the back of the cabin, which gave the room two distinct (albeit small) areas: a living room and bedroom.
In addition, my cabin boasted modern decor and color schemes. Despite the ship being a decade old, the cabin still fit today’s trends. Plus, having a virtual balcony in the room was an added benefit, as I could watch a live camera feed from outside the ship during the sailing.
My Radiance of the Seas cabin left something to be desired. There was far less storage in the room compared to my cabin on Quantum of the Seas, and the room’s layout felt more cramped.
The cabin’s decor and upholstery was not necessarily outdated, but it wasn’t the most contemporary, either. Given the ship’s age, there were far fewer outlets in the cabin, which made charging electronics more difficult.
During my Radiance of the Seas cruise, I mainly ate in either the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet. There were just two other complimentary dining options: Park Cafe and the Dog House, both of which had limited offerings.
Quantum of the Seas had a far greater variety of complimentary dining options. Although I still ate the majority of my meals in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, I enjoyed having extra options.
The Solarium Bistro on Quantum of the Seas was one of my favorite dining venues onboard. For breakfast and lunch, this venue offered buffet-style dining, and even though there were fewer choices than the Windjammer, the venue was less crowded.
Related: Top Ten Royal Caribbean Dining Tips
I also enjoyed dining at Cafe @ Two70 on Quantum of the Seas. This grab-and-go spot served breakfast and lunch and had some of the best soups, salads, and sandwiches you could find on the ship.
There is also a standalone Sorrento’s Pizza restaurant on Quantum of the Seas in addition to grab-and-go snacks at Cafe Promenade, hot dogs at SeaPlex Dog House, and quick-service lunch at Noodle Bar on the pool deck.
I wouldn’t necessarily pick one ship over the other just for the dining options, but expect to eat at the Main Dining Room and Windjammer more on an older ship if you don’t want to pay extra for specialty restaurants.
One of the things I look for most when picking a ship for an Alaska cruise is the amount of indoor spaces from where I can watch Alaska’s scenery.
I was recently left disappointed after a 7-night Princess cruise to Alaska when I realized the ship was ill-designed for cold weather. There was no indoor pool and hardly any indoor lounges to watch the scenery, meaning I had to stand outside in the cold whenever I wanted to enjoy the views.
Related: Royal Caribbean vs Princess Cruise to Alaska: which cruise line is better?
Fortunately, I find that Royal Caribbean designs their ships adequately for cold weather. You will find an abundance of indoor spaces on both old and new ships cruising to the Last Frontier.
On Radiance of the Seas I loved watching scenery from the Viking Crown Lounge, a venue with panoramic views at the top of the ship. Views were unparalleled from the lounge, and it offered the perfect, heated space to relax while watching glaciers, mountains, and wildlife pass by.
Radiance Class ships are built with over three acres of glass, so there were plenty of other indoor areas to enjoy as well. The Champagne Bar offered floor-to-ceiling glass windows on the ship’s starboard side, and venues like the Schooner Bar and Singapore Sling’s were also designed with ocean views in mind.
Related: I’ve been on every class of Royal Caribbean ships: here’s what I like about each
On Quantum of the Seas, my favorite place to watch the scenery was from the Solarium. While all Royal Caribbean ships have an adults-only Solarium, I find the Solarium on Quantum Class ships to be better than the rest.
This large pool space has windows in nearly every direction, and there’s arguably no better place to sip a cocktail with a view onboard.
If you’re cruising with kids to Alaska, I’d recommend sailing on Quantum of the Seas over Radiance of the Seas. Quantum of the Seas is packed with kid-friendly activities.
Onboard, you’ll find an indoor Sports Court called the SeaPlex. Here, you’ll find both free play and organized sports activities such as basketball, pickleball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as bumper cars and rollerskating.
The SeaPlex also has video games, ping pong tables, and arcade games for guests of all ages.
Outside the SeaPlex are more kid-friendly activities, including a rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, and RipCord by iFLY indoor skydiving simulator.
Related: Best Royal Caribbean ships for kids
Radiance of the Seas has a few kid-friendly activities—a rock climbing wall, mini golf course, and small aqua park—but far less than what you’ll find on a Quantum Class ship.
Another benefit of Quantum of the Seas over Radiance of the Seas is that the ship has an indoor pool for all ages, not just for adults. In addition to the adults-only Solarium is a separate indoor pool that both kids and adults can access.
The only indoor pool on Radiance of the Seas is in the adults-only Solarium. The ship does have select hours where kids can access the pool, but they are relatively limited.
There’s no harm in picking a Radiance Class ship for an Alaska cruise, and your kids will still, more than likely, have a whole lot of fun onboard. Nonetheless, it’s hard to deny that Quantum of the Seas offers a more family-friendly experience overall than Radiance of the Seas.
As far as entertainment, I think Quantum of the Seas has a slight edge over Radiance of the Seas. Shows on the vessel were more modern than those on Radiance of the Seas, both in story concept and technology integration.
I attended just one production show on Radiance of the Seas, Piano Man, and while the cast were talented, nothing wowed me about the show’s storyline. If anything, I thought it seemed geared toward passengers of an older age demographic.
In comparison, the production of Starwater on Quantum of the Seas blew me away. Located in the ship’s technology-focused Two70 venue, this performance featured innovative stages, animated projections on the venue’s walls, and moving television screens to enhance the performance by the singers and dancers.
It was a modern, top-notch performance with a production quality that simply cannot be matched on an older ship.
Outside of production shows, both ships have live music at the pub and Schooner Bar along with other bands and performers, whether a comedian or jazz band.
While not traditional entertainment, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the indoor movie theater on Radiance of the Seas. If you’re in the mood for a chill evening, there’s no better place to spend it than in the cinema, where you can watch movies free of charge.
Movies are also shown on Quantum of the Seas, but they are shown on the pool deck, which isn’t conducive to the cold weather on an Alaska cruise.
As far as itineraries go, Royal Caribbean’s older ships almost always have more in-depth itineraries compared to newer ships, and this holds true in Alaska as well.
My Radiance of the Seas cruise was a one-way itinerary. I departed from Vancouver, British Columbia and ended the cruise in Seward, Alaska. Traveling in one direction allowed the ship to stop at more ports in Alaska along the way, as well as include a scenic cruise around Hubbard Glacier.
Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide
And, by ending the cruise in Seward, passengers could choose to extend their vacation by visiting destinations in the state’s interior, such as Denali National Park & Preserve.
Quantum of the Seas still offers a nice itinerary, but when Alaska cruises depart from Seattle, they must include a stop in Canada before returning back to the United States. Therefore, my itinerary had to stop in Victoria, British Columbia.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Victoria, but I would have preferred visiting another port in Alaska. The itinerary only visited three Alaska ports as opposed to the four I visited on Radiance of the Seas.
There’s no right or wrong ship choice for an Alaska cruise, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each before booking your vacation.
For most people, visiting Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it makes sense to get the most out of your weeklong cruise. Booking a ship from Vancouver means you will not have to stop in Canada during the itinerary, allowing you to see even more of Alaska’s beauty throughout the week.
Plus, a ship like Radiance of the Seas offers one-way cruises, something you won’t find on newer vessels sailing to Alaska.
Nevertheless, it’s tough to beat the modernity and variety of activities offered on Quantum of the Seas. Whether you’re cruising with a 5-year old or 80-year old, there’s truly something for everyone on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.
While I would say I prefer the overall experience on Quantum of the Seas more than that on Radiance of the Seas, I wouldn’t hesitate to book an older ship to Alaska again.
There are 16 ships in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, with the oldest over 20 years old and the newest launching in 2023.
Despite all 16 ships belonging to the same cruise line, they vary greatly in size, amenities, and itineraries. The fleet’s oldest vessels offer a traditional cruising experience, whereas the newest ships feature record-breaking design and innovative features.
If you’re planning a Celebrity cruise, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the ships in Celebrity’s fleet to help pick the best choice for your vacation. Whether you’re looking for a small or big ship experience, you’re sure to find a ship to fit your travel style best.
Here’s our list of Celebrity ships by age from newest to oldest.
Celebrity Ascent is the newest ship in operation by Celebrity Cruises and is the fourth ship in the cruise line’s revolutionary Edge Class.
For those cruisers who enjoy sailing on new ships, it will be hard to beat sailing on Celebrity Ascent. As a brand new vessel, guests can enjoy Celebrity’s newest dining venues, entertainment concepts, and modern cabin amenities.
Celebrity Ascent will spend winters in the Caribbean and summers sailing the Mediterranean.
Related: 7 things new and different to love about Celebrity Ascent
Like her sister ships in the Edge Class, Celebrity Beyond is one of the cruise line’s most popular vessels.
One of the goals of the Edge Class was to connect passengers more closely with the sea, and Celebrity achieved this through Celebrity Beyond’s outward-facing design. One of the ways passengers can experience this design is in Eden, an entertainment venue with three stories of ocean views.
Outside of ocean views, Celebrity Beyond features 32 restaurants, bars, and lounges, which include favorites such as the Sunset Bar and Eden Café.
Celebrity Beyond will offer select itineraries to Perfect Day at CocoCay along with visits to the Southern, Eastern, and Western Caribbean.
The second ship in Celebrity’s Edge Class, Celebrity Apex is another modern, elegantly-designed vessel in the fleet.
If you’re looking for a modern cabin concept on Edge Class ships, consider booking an infinite veranda cabin. These cabins feature a balcony that is inside your living space rather than through a separate door, which increases living space in the room.
Celebrity Apex splits her time between Europe and the Caribbean, offering cruises to destinations such as the United Kingdom, Egypt, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, and Cozumel.
Related: 50 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks
Celebrity Flora is the newest of Celebrity’s expedition ships, and she offers year round cruises in the Galapagos.
Celebrity Flora is an all-suite vessel, meaning all accommodations are spacious suites, and the rooms are fully automotive, allowing you to control the room’s features with the touch of a button.
Booking a cruise on Celebrity Flora is all-inclusive and includes airport transfers, luxury accommodation, fully-escorted tours, all meals and beverages, luggage service, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, and more.
Visiting the Galapagos with Celebrity is an immersive experience different from a traditional cruise vacation. Throughout the cruise, you will visit new islands nearly every day, allowing you to learn more about the region’s fascinating flora and fauna.
Perhaps the most monumental moment in the history of Celebrity Cruises was the launch of Celebrity Edge.
Up until 2018, Celebrity built traditional-style cruise ships, and while they had several inventive features like The Lawn Club and a glassblowing workshop, the design of the ships was lacking in innovation compared to new ships by cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.
Celebrity Edge changed that with the addition of several impressive new features, the most notable being the Magic Carpet. The Magic Carpet is a cantilevered bar that “floats” up and down the edge of the ship, and it’s a must-do experience on Celebrity Edge.
Celebrity Edge sails around the world. She is currently in Europe, but will sail from Australia for several months before offering Alaska cruises in the summer of 2024. Following her season in Alaska, she will return to Australia to offer cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.
Related: I just spent 11 days on Celebrity Edge — did it live up to the hype?
Celebrity Xploration has a capacity of only 16 guests, over three thousand fewer than ships like Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond.
Built for the Galapagos, Celebrity Xploration is more like a yacht than a cruise ship. As the ship sails from island to island in the Galapagos, passengers can get to know fellow passengers and crew much more intimately than on a large vessel.
In addition, the ship’s extremely small capacity means there is little wait for any part of the experience, from embarkation in the Galapagos to getting on and off the ship in port.
Cruising on Celebrity Xploration includes your own stateroom with a window or balcony, room service, complimentary snorkeling equipment, and lectures from Galapagos experts.
Celebrity Silhouette is the last ship in Celebrity’s Solstice Class. In comparison to Celebrity’s oldest class of ships, the Millennium Class, Solstice Class ships are 30% larger.
Due to the larger size, Solstice Class cruise ships offer a wider range of restaurants, lounges, and amenities.
One of the most popular areas on Solstice Class ships is The Lawn Club, a hangout space on a ½ acre lawn of real grass. At The Lawn Club passengers can enjoy live music, play games like bocce and croquet, and dine at The Lawn Club Grill.
Celebrity Reflection is currently in Europe, but after returning to North America she will offer Caribbean cruises year round. Starting in 2024, she will begin offering cruises to Royal Caribbean’s private destination of Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Celebrity Silhouette offers both short and long itineraries from Florida, allowing passengers to enjoy her amenities whether on a quick 4-night cruise to Mexico or 10-night trip to the Southern Caribbean.
Like her sister ships, Celebrity Silhouette offers a mix between small and large ship cruising, offering a middle ground between a traditional and modern cruise experience.
Celebrity Silhouette spends the summer season in Europe before returning to North America to offer Caribbean cruises throughout the winter.
Related: How does a cheap Celebrity cruise compare to Royal Caribbean?
Celebrity Eclipse is the third Solstice Class ship. Like other Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Eclipse offers a wide variety of sailings around the world.
She currently sails to Alaska, but will reposition to South America in fall 2023 to offer cruises in the region, visiting destinations such as Chile, Antarctica, and Argentina.
Celebrity Equinox is the second Solstice Class cruise ship, and she sails around the world, offering some of Celebrity’s most unique itineraries.
The size of Solstice Class ships enables them to fit into many interesting ports around the world. Indoor spaces, such as the Persian Garden thermal suite and European-style Café al Bacio, mean you can enjoy the ship’s amenities rain or shine.
Celebrity Equinox currently sails to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. She will reposition to Europe for the 2024 summer season before heading to South America in December 2024 to offer Patagonia and Antarctica itineraries.
Related: Things you won’t find on a Celebrity cruise
Celebrity Solstice is the first of Celebrity’s Solstice class. Like other Solstice Class ships, guests will enjoy features like The Lawn Club, glassblowing workshop, indoor pool, and the Craft Social Bar.
Celebrity Solstice spends her time in the Pacific, offering cruises to Alaska, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
Celebrity Constellation is the last of the Millennium Class cruise ships, the first class of Celebrity ships. With only a little over 2,000 passengers onboard, the ships offer a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than those in the Edge or even the Solstice Class.
Classic features of Millennium Class ships include an outdoor rooftop terrace, the Cellar Masters wine bar, and indoor adults-only Solarium.
Celebrity Constellation spends the summer season in Europe and winter season in the Caribbean.
Related: Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club loyalty program info, tips & secrets
Celebrity Summit is the third Millennium Class ship, and she was revolutionized in 2019 to add upgraded features and amenities to the 20+ year old vessel.
Although Millennium Class ships do not offer the latest and greatest of Celebrity’s activities—you won’t find venues like Eden or the Magic Carpet bar onboard—there are still plenty of ways to keep busy on the ship.
Guests will love watching outdoor movies on the ship’s rooftop terrace, sipping cocktails at the Martini Bar, and watching the stars from the indoor Sky Observation Lounge.
Celebrity Summit currently sails from the northeast US, offering cruises to Bermuda and Canada. She will sail to the Caribbean in the winter season before repositioning to offer Alaska cruises in summer 2024.
Celebrity Infinity is one of the smallest cruise ships in Celebrity’s fleet, but her small size means that she offers a more intimate and traditional cruising experience.
Onboard you’ll find immersive dining concepts like Le Petit Chef, in which a tiny, animated chef is projected onto your table. During the meal the chef “cooks” each course of your meal before the animated meal is replaced with the real life dish.
Related: Celebrity's Le Petit Chef Review — Worth it or Gimmicky?
The ship has three pools: two outdoor pools and one in the indoor Solarium. Additionally, suite guests can enjoy an outdoor sundeck at The Retreat.
Celebrity Infinity stays in Europe year round, offering cruises to the Greek Isles, Turkey, Egypt, the Adriatic, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands.
Celebrity Xpedition is the oldest ship of Celebrity’s expedition vessels, and she offers year round sailings to the Galapagos.
With only 48 passengers at maximum capacity, the Xpedition offers personalized luxury service. While onboard you can enjoy in-suite dining, nightly lectures by certified naturalists, and live music.
Like all cruises to the Galapagos, the focus of the experience is more on the destination rather than the ship. You won’t find Broadway-style production shows or an abundance of programming offered onboard, but it will get you up close and personal with the nature and scenery of the Galapagos.
Celebrity Millennium is the oldest ship in Celebrity’s fleet, but that doesn’t mean she is outdated.
Celebrity Millennium was revolutionized in 2019, during which new amenities and staterooms were added to the ship. The Retreat, an all new suites-only area, was added, which includes The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge.
In addition, restaurants, the spa, and cabins were reimagined, adding upgraded technology and design concepts to these spaces.
Celebrity Millennium currently offers cruises to Alaska. In fall 2023 she will reposition to Asia, where she will begin offering cruises to Japan, Southeast Asia, and India.
