Demand for a Royal Caribbean cruise has never been higher, and that's driven prices up leaving consumers to look for ways to find a deal on a vacation.

Add in the falling value of the U.S. Dollar against foreign currencies and you might be reconsidering how to make your cruise vacation work.

The good news about Royal Caribbean is they have lots of options to help find value in a vacation market where prices continue to soar. Even with rising prices, many travelers see a cruise vacation still offers a greater value than a land vacation.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said in an earnings call last week that value gap helps sell a cruise when the economy is off kilter, "I think that — one of the things that we've been trying to close — that value gap to land-based vacation — and the appreciation of so much more you get out of cruise experience than you do by land base…it does serve in times like this when there's maybe a greater level of uncertainty."

It's no secret a new cruise ship comes with a premium price, so you could skip them and instead shift your cruise plans to a more affordable ship.

The value packed older ship

Let's begin with a ship that will probably cost you the least to sail on but I liked a heck of a lot more than I expected.

Enchantment of the Seas, and the rest the Vision Class, represent the oldest ships in the fleet.  But age isn't everything.

Royal Caribbean does a good job keeping these 30-plus year old cruise ships running well, and they deliver the classic core cruise experience most people want in a vacation: sun, pool, dining, and a few restaurants.

I sailed on Enchantment of the Seas earlier this year for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable it was.

The age and lack of things to do on bigger ships might put you off, but I had a great time and really wouldn't mind going back.

Odds are these will be the cheapest ships to go on, with prices starting as low as $319 per person for a 5-night cruise on September 27, 2025.

Ship size isn't everything, and Vision Class ships are going to be the lowest price on average you can find.  Just understand what it offers and doesn't offer before booking.

A ship that balances age, amenities, and value

The sweet spot of cruise ship amenities and price is a Voyager Class, like Mariner of the Seas.

These are big ships with things to do onboard, but not the mega ship price tag. In fact, they received new updates, such as water slides, new restaurants, and escape rooms.

Mariner of the Seas is one ship I point to for a great blend of value.  It's not the cheapest, but there's still lots for families to love about it.

The ship size provides a "big ship feel" with the things a lot of cruisers want. 

I really like the different specialty restaurants onboard, including Playmakers and Izumi hibachi.  Plus, it still has an ice skating show, Royal Promenade, and updated pool deck.

A fun ship out of Orlando without the premium price tag

There's no hotter cruise market right now than Port Canaveral, which is near Orlando. Royal Caribbean is about to stack the deck there with Star of the Seas coming this summer.

That puts its two newest ships on the doorstep of the theme park capital of the world, with Utopia of the Seas and Star balancing short and long cruises. But those new ships have premium pricing too.

A fun alternative is Adventure of the Seas, which is the same size as the aforementioned Mariner of the Seas.

This is a classic, "do this, not that" example where you can still enjoy a big ship vacation without paying as much for it.

If you compare almost any sailing, there's a good chance the prices will come out in Adventure's favor, giving you far more value.

Looking at March 2026, here are the cheapest cruises among the three:

• Utopia of the Seas: $719 per person for 3-nights
• Star of the Seas: $1440 per person for 7-nights
• Adventure of the Seas: $842 per person for 6 nights

On a per-night basis, Adventure is coming out a much better value.

You can even find lower prices on Explorer of the Seas, with a 4-night sailing in March 2026 starting at $441 per person, or $502 per person for a 5-night cruise.

I prefer Adventure over Explorer since it sails a longer cruise, but that's a matter of your own preference.

Pick an older but updated ship within the mega ships

If you're set on going on one of Royal Caribbean's amazing mega ships, I'd go on one of the refurbished vessels to find a good value.

Oasis of the Seas is probably going to be in that spot, as it's the oldest Oasis Class ship. What I like about Oasis is that it has some nice updates that bring it more in line with newer Oasis Class ships.

Allure of the Seas just got a big update too, so it might be a good alternative as well.

Any Oasis Class ship is going to be a really fun choice for your family because these big ships simply have so much to see, do, and eat. I love the variety of what's offered.

Going on an older Oasis Class ship might save you a few hundred dollars compared to a newer one.

Any of the cruises from LA

Odds are the lowest prices for a cruise are probably on the west coast.

Royal Caribbean is building up its Southern California presence, and soon there will be ships sailing from both Los Angeles and San Diego.

In the meantime, I find the lowest prices for a cruise from the United States out of LA.

The best think about these sailings is that they're on good ships too. Royal Caribbean has had Navigator of the Seas there for a few years, but Ovation of the Seas is about to join the fray. Quantum will join later this year too.

Why are these cruises inexpensive?

Getting to California isn't as convenient if you're not from the area. Plus, the weather in western Mexico might not be as tropical as what you'll find in the Caribbean.

I like that it's not the "same old", especially if you can do a cruise longer than 4 nights that goes down the Baja peninsula.

A cruise sounds like such a good vacation that you might be tempted to add friends or family to join you.  One of the first ideas that comes to mind is calling your travel agent and putting someone else in your cabin. But does that really work?

It sounds easy. Just have the cruise line add the other people to your cabin in the same way they'd do if you booked a hotel room. Although this sounds simple, it's not only not practical, it can cause issues with maritime regulations.

This post will address the reality of changing how many people are in one cabin, and why you can't simply add someone else to a reservation.

If you want to add someone else to your room (or add more people, in general), here's what you need to know about how and why to do it.

Every cabin has a capacity for an important reason

Regardless of which stateroom you choose, there's a maximum capacity for that room specified by the cruise line.

While you can potentially have less people than that in the room, you cannot exceed it, no matter what.

When you look at a cabin on the deck plan, the specific room category lists how many people can be booked into that room.

Most cabins are double occupancy, which means up to two people can stay in the room.  A few cabins are designed for solo travelers, but they're few and far between.

There are bigger cabins that can handle anywhere from 3 to 8 people, and they are sometimes referred to as "spacious staterooms" or are simply suites.

The reason why each cabin has a max capacity is for safety reasons.

Cruise lines take safety at sea extremely seriously, and that applies to cabins.

Every cabin correlates to spaces available in life craft that would be needed in the case of an emergency.

Any cruise ship needs to ensure there are more than enough spaces on life boats and life rafts for every single passenger and crew member. To achieve this, they never oversell a specific cabin so the math always works.

Safety even comes before sales

In some cases, Royal Caribbean may still not allow you to add an extra passenger to a stateroom, even if that room is designed to accommodate more people than you had originally booked.

Let's say you booked two people in a spacious balcony cabin that could accommodate up to four people, but later wanted to add a third or fourth passenger to that room.

While you understand you can't do that in other rooms, why not this one?

The request may be denied if the ship is booked with lots of other passengers maxing out their cabins.

Specific cabins use the specific muster stations.  A given muster station is designed to use a specific set of lifeboats.    For example muster station A1 might use lifeboats 3 and 4.  

If there are already a number of cabins for muster station A1 that have more than double occupancy such as during peak summer month when more families with kids travel, then the lifeboat capacity may be reached.  

In our example, someone with two people in a cabin in that muster station who wants to add another person. Despite the cabin being able to accommodate the next guest, the cruise line can't allow another guest or else the lifeboats would not be able to accommodate everyone in an emergency.  

They aren't allowed to say, "In an emergency go find another lifeboat with spare room."

What you can do to get friends or family onboard instead

In short, the workaround to this issue is you need to book them a new reservation.

If your room is maxed out, it's usually simpler to book them their own cabin.

Upgrading your cabin to a larger room might work, but it depends if there's a larger cabin available left to book.  Plus, you'd be booking at the prevailing rates instead of whatever price you originally paid.

Moreover, if you're past final payment date, there could be penalties to changing your room.  In my experience, if you're willing to spend more money than you originally paid, Royal Caribbean doesn't usually assess penalties after final payment on the same sailing. 

But the simplest approach could be to book a new cabin, assuming one is available.

If you have minors that you want to add, Royal Caribbean will allow you to book minors by themselves in a cabin if that room is adjacent, connecting, or across from their parents room.

Otherwise, you could swap adults around to have one in the new room, and move a kid back into the original room.  Name changes are allowed without any penalty, even after final payment, as long as one person from the original reservation remains in the cabin.

Stay up-to-date with all the Royal Caribbean news from this week with our roundup of all this week's news.

The buffet on a Royal Caribbean ship is still a go-to spot on every sailing, but I'll do 4 things every time I go.

There are so many good choices to pick from, so I'll want to maximize any visit I make to the Windjammer.

By taking advantage of a few key tips, I can ensure my visit is always a satisfying one!

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is reportedly buying a Bahamas resort
• Royal Caribbean is raising cruise prices on people who book a cruise at the last minute
• Royal Caribbean's secret weapon are loyal cruisers who spend 25% more and keep coming back
• Royal Caribbean is out with a truly epic 25-night cruise across half the world
• The new rules of a cruise this summer to follow
• I tried a $50 cocktail class on my cruise. I discovered a risk-free way to try new drinks
• Royal Caribbean is defying the economy: How record bookings and higher prices are fueling a blowout year
• Which part of a cruise ship has the least motion? I tried all the suggestions
• A Royal Caribbean drink package flash sale saved me the most money since Black Friday, and there's one trick to knowing about them
• Royal Caribbean updated its virtual badges
• Royal Caribbean just raised its expectations for the year, but Norwegian warns of slowing demand
• I wish more cruisers did one thing before they leave the ship, says travel agent
• Best cruise for first timers that you won't regret

Royal Caribbean stops visiting popular port

One Royal Caribbean ship that skipped Labadee this week actually got onboard credit instead of a replacement port.

Guests sailing on the May 3 voyage of Icon of the Seas were notified by Royal Caribbean their ship would have a sea day instead of visiting Labadee, Haiti.

To make it up to the passengers, Royal Caribbean offered them a per-stateroom credit to spend on board the ship.

How much to tip on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

When and how much to tip on a cruise is a hot button topic, but it's a very commonly asked question.

A lot of new cruisers are unsure what's expected and definitely do not want to insult anyone by stiffing them.

Matt shared exactly how much he tips to give you an idea of what to expect.

Cruise ship passenger regrets cabin choice

One person thought they booked a great cabin, but ended up regretting it because of a noise problem.

The cruiser complained about the "paper thin walls" that prevented them from sleeping while cruising on Allure of the Seas.

As it turned out, the mistake made could have been avoided given the specific room category chosen.

I paid $1,260 for an inside cabin on Allure of the Seas. It was outdated and tiny, but I still enjoyed my cruise

What's it like staying in a small, inside room on the amplified Allure of the Seas?

Jenna paid paid $1,260 for the inside room on the first sailing after the ship returned to service.

The room doesn't have any natural light, but is one of the best values on the ship.

New RCB Video: BOLD predictions about Royal Caribbean's future!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — BOLD predictions about Royal Caribbean's future! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 563rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, discussing Royal Caribbean's strategy to target Walt Disney World visitors.

Royal Caribbean has made it no secret they want to attract vacationers who would otherwise go to Walt Disney World and the other attractions in Orlando. How effective will this strategy be, and how do these vacations compare?

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Could there be a new private beach spot for cruisers coming soon?

According to report in local media, Royal Caribbean Group is in the process of buying a defunct hotel in Freeport, Bahamas.

This project appears intended for Celebrity Cruises, instead of Royal Caribbean International.

The news was part of a reveal by The Central Bank of The Bahamas, who said Celebrity Cruises has offered to spend $348 million to acquire Freeport’s long-closed Xanadu Beach Hotel and surrounding land.

The Xanadu Beach Hotel was built in 1968 and then purchased by Howard Hughes in 1972. Mr. Hughes lived at the hotel until just before his death in 1976.

It was an escape for Hollywood stars, and included 215 rooms and an 80 slip marina. Stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball visited there.

It closed in 2011.

In total, it encompasses a 40-acre site that they intend to transform into "recreational and entertainment facilities", according to the bank.

"Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines - Celebrity Cruises Incorporated obtained approval for the acquisition of 40 acres of privately-owned land for the development of recreational and entertainment facilities. The investment is valued at $348m," the Central Bank confirmed.

The bank did not disclose the specific property, but Tribune Business is reporting it's the Xanadu site.

There has been no announcement by Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean Group yet, nor have they confirmed or denied the report.

According to an anonymous source, the closing on the deal could occur in either late summer or early fall.

Royal Caribbean was first rumored to be in talks to get the Xanadu resort in December 2023

What is Celebrity going to do with the land?

When any cruise line acquires land in the Caribbean it's almost always for a private shore option for its guests.

The local news report says the buying up of the Xanadu property and other adjacent land is for the purposes of combining it all into a shore destination for the cruise passengers.

Royal Caribbean recently acquired the port and surrounding port area in Costa Maya to build Perfect Day Mexico.

They've also acquired land in other ports, such as Vanuatu, Cozumel, and Nassau, Bahamas.

One guess is Celebrity would branch out to have its first private beach property, which would offer its cruise ship passengers a secluded and exclusive day ashore.

It could be similar to either Perfect Day at CocoCay or one of the beach clubs that Royal Caribbean is developing. 

Royal Caribbean almost bought another property in Freeport

The reported purchase of the Xanadu resort in Grand Bahama Island is reminiscent of another project that almost happened.

Right before the cruise industry shutdown in 2020, Royal Caribbean was in talks to acquire both Freeport Harbour and the Grand Lucayan hotel and surrounding area.

The idea was to redevelop the port and build a water-based adventure theme park.

The Grand Lucayan resort would have been turned into a world-class beachfront destination with a 526-room hotel, shopping village, spa and wellness center, water-based family entertainment including a massive water and adventure theme park, a 40,000-square-foot convention center, adventure activities such as zip lines and off-roading, restaurants and bars, entertainment and lively nightlife. 

The resort would have been a place for both land and cruise guests to visit.

Both deals fell apart due to a combination of the financial troubles associated with the cruise industry shutting down, as well as an inability to finalize a deal with the Freeport Harbour Company.

Building on the private destination trend

If Celebrity is indeed getting in on a beach spot for its passengers, it's one of many such projects around the Caribbean.

Private beaches for cruise ship guests isn't new, but there's been an upward trend in opening new ones.

Royal Caribbean is developing two new beach clubs, with the first one opening in Nassau in December 2025.  That's in addition to Perfect Day Mexico coming in 2027.

Carnival is about to open Celebration Key this summer, which is yet another private destination for its line that seems to take many cues from Perfect Day at CocoCay.

MSC Cruises is developing a private island in The Bahamas on a natural sandbank that is aimed at offering a private, luxury beach experience.

Disney Cruise Line recently opened its second private beach spot at Lighthouse Point.

There's a major advantage for cruise lines to invest in private destinations, as it ups the guest experience while partnering with local destinations.

Cruise lines get a "walled garden" experience that give passengers the kind of picturesque, relaxing beach day they imagine.  

The ports get guaranteed visitors, and in the case of Royal Caribbean, funding and equity to the local community.

The summer cruise season is about to begin, and it brings a series of changes cruisers should be aware of before they travel.

I have five cruises planned for this summer (and maybe more to come), and as I started planning things out, it became clear there are some new things to take into account.

I'm an over planner and I like to prep as much as I can in the months leading up to my cruise. I actually think it's fun to plan a cruise out, as it gives me an outlet for my pent up excitement about the vacation.

Here are 4 changes coming to cruises this summer anyone with a sailing should think about before the trip starts.

Real ID matters, but not for a cruise

The hot button change coming to all of travel in the United States this summer is the Real ID rule mandate.

Beginning May 7, there will be new security standards for driver's licenses and state identification cards. The change applies to enhancing federal standards, including passing through airport security checkpoints.

This means if you're flying within the United States for your cruise vacation, you need to double check your driver's license meets this standard or you'll be denied entry at the airport.

If you have a passport, you can use that instead.

While these rules apply to air travel, you don't need a Real ID for a cruise vacation specifically.

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, allow U.S. citizens sailing round trip from the same U.S. homeport (that doesn't include a visit to Panama, Colombia, or Martinique) can sail with government-issued photo ID  and a birth certificate.  

I strongly recommend everyone cruise with a passport, but technically there's an alternative for Americans on select itineraries.

Don't wait to book a last-minute cruise

If a summer cruise sounds like a great vacation, don't wait another minute to book it.

Royal Caribbean executives said prices go up for last-minute cruise bookings, and it's a good enough reason to book your cruise as early as possible.

The cruise line doesn't slash prices of unsold cabins at the last minute. Rather, they're hiking prices to take advantage of anyone trying to squeeze a cruise in right before it starts.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty explained this tactic during his company's first quarter earnings call last week, "We see...an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period of time."

This means you're going to want to book that summer cruise now, and now try to wait it out any longer.

Even if you don't care about higher prices, the reality is cabins left for a summer cruise are dwindling.

The company said about 86% of the 2025 cruise inventory is booked already. 

You're going to want to act quickly and book a vacation now before prices go up again.

US citizens now need to pay to enter the UK

If you are cruising the United Kingdom or your ship visits a UK port, there's a new fee and step to take.

As of January 2025, travelers coming into the UK need to obtain a new electronic travel authorization to enter the country. This applies to all visitors (regardless of age) who can travel there visa-free, including Americans.

The ETA application cost is 10 pounds ($13) and will be valid for multiple visits up to a maximum duration of six months over two years.

You need to apply before your start travel and there's a requirement to upload a photo.

Officials claim it will take up to 3 business days to obtain clearance, but in our experience, it's complete in a matter of minutes.  Regardless, don't wait until the day before your trip to do it.

It's easy to apply using the ETA app, available on iOS and Android.

Don't bring your speaker to CocoCay

A new rule change that was first spotted during Spring Break is Royal Caribbean doesn't want you bringing your speakers to its private island.

There are four rules the cruise line posted in its digital Cruise Compass on the day your ship visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.

1. Swim diapers are required for pools and Splashaway Bay for toddlers and infants
2. Don't feed the seagulls
3. No fishing
4. No glass bottles or personal speakers

While the other rules aren't that new, the prohibition on personal speakers is a change to be aware of for your visit this summer.

I can assume this rule is in place to prevent someone's music impacting someone else's ability to enjoy their day.

No one wants to get seasick on a cruise, and I've discovered it really does matter where your cabin is located.

Over the years, I've gone on plenty of cruises and stayed in cabins across high decks and low decks, forward and aft, starboard and port side. Despite all my cruising, I still get seasick from time to time.  I'd estimate one or two cruises a year it happens to me.

When the weather cooperates and the seas are smooth and winds calm, you won't even notice any movement and there are times you have to remind yourself you're on a ship moving through the ocean. But when the seas are swaying, it serves as a constant reminder.

Picking a cabin in a good location can have a significant impact on how much sensation you feel as the ship moves. In my experience, any relief is welcome.

Knowing which part of the ship has the least motion can not only lessen the chance of getting seasick, but also reduce any anxiety about it.

A cruise ship is like a seesaw

I think the chances of you getting seasick are pretty low to start with, but a lot of new cruisers are understandably worried about it because it's new to them.

The best analogy I ever heard about movement on a cruise ship is its akin to being on a seesaw.

If you imagine a seesaw, the least amount of movement is at the center, but the ends experience the most. By far the greatest movement is felt at the front and back of the ship.

The deck you're on also plays a factor.  Most experts recommend being on a low deck (instead of a high deck) because if the seas are rolling (side to side), then it helps being lower on the ship.

In short, being on a low deck and midship is the best spot to be in to minimize the feeling of movement.  Royal Caribbean is known for building the biggest cruise ships in the world, so you don't have to worry about being on an old vessel that would truly be problematic. But of course, no spot is necessarily going to be immune to the movement.

Most people do fine as cruise ships are massive vessels that can deploy stabilizers to reduce rolling to tolerable levels in most situations. Unless you are highly susceptible to seasickness, you should be okay.

How each part of the ship compares

When you consider where your cabin is located, there are advantages and disadvantages to picking cabins in different areas.

Conventional wisdom says the best spot is a cabin midship and on a low deck, but what this advice doesn't take into consideration is the room type.

In almost all cases, your choice of staterooms on a low deck and mid ship is going to be either an inside cabin or an oceanview cabin.

These are usually the least expensive rooms to book, but they also lack space or amenities that you'll find in other room categories.

Besides being in an area with less movement, they're also near the middle elevator bank, and that's convenient for simply getting around the ship.

If you want a balcony or suite, you're going to need to move to the upper decks.

Royal Caribbean begins offering cabins with a private balcony about halfway up the ship, sometimes as low as deck six. The higher up on the ship, the better the view you'll have.

However, if you compared the sensation of movement on deck 10 vs deck 2, you'd likely find it better on the lower deck.

Deciding between the front or back of the ship also plays a factor.

People that cruise a lot tend to love picking cabins on the back of the ship for the amazing views you can get.  Keep in mind, they mean cabins that face backwards, and not cabins that are still on the side of the ship, but towards the rear.

Some special cabins at the very rear corners of a ship might even feature a balcony that wrap around the vessel in an L-shape, giving you views on two sides.

Movement at the back can feel like you're going up and down.

Taking a cabin at the front is like being in the front seat of a car.  It has great views of what's coming up, assuming your cabin faces forward.

I think cabins at the very front are the worst for risk of movement.  The higher the deck, the more noticeable that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. 

Because this part of the ship is what's encountering the waves first and it's far from mid-ship, it seems to always generate the sensation of seasickness in me the most.

Of course, these are generalizations based on my cruises.  Everyone's body handles it differently and the weather will play a major role in how good or bad the sea conditions are.

Picking a cabin midship is still the best advice if you're worried about getting seasick

Sometimes conventional wisdom is outdated, but I think picking a cabin towards the middle of the ship still makes the most sense.

When I try to save money and go with a guarantee cabin that puts me towards the front, I usually regret that decision if the seas are rough.

In those situations, I'll be in the ship's casino or a restaurant that is mid ship and then go back to my cabin to suddenly feel the difference.

You probably won't even get seasick, but if you have the choice in where your room is located, picking one midship helps with that.  Plus it's just more convenient to get around.

Staying in a balcony can help too

While your room location is a factor, I also think being in a room that has access to a private verandah helps too.

Being able to see the horizon and having access to fresh air are two things that can settle your brain if there's movement.

It helps me to have fresh air if I am feeling seasick.

To be fair, if you were in an interior room you could go out to a public deck and achieve the same thing. But if I'm feeling miserable, I'd rather be in private.

Prepare for seasickness with the right remedies

No matter which stateroom I book on any deck, I'll always bring the right seasickness medication with me.

I prefer to rely on over-the-counter medications to help and I always pack Bonine. (This is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission if you buy from it, but it costs you nothing extra)

There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.

Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.

Something else that can work well is to consume ginger.  

Ordering a ginger ale or taking a ginger supplement helps. You might also consider going to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon. Everyone's physiology is different, and these can assist in reducing the symptoms.

I bet no other extra cruise purchase is as popular as a Royal Caribbean drink package because of how convenient it is.

But before you book it, you probably want to get the lowest price, especially considering how expensive these packages can be.

For two people, the Deluxe Beverage Package on a 7-night cruise can cost over $1,000 in total when purchased onboard. 

I've got good news and I've got bad news about getting a drink package for up to 40% less than the onboard price.

The good news is, you can absolutely save money by pre-booking it at the right time before the cruise begins.

The bad news is, you need to know when that is and it's not so obvious.

I was scrolling through the Royal Caribbean sub Reddit and someone shared they saw the price of a drink package at just $56.99 per person, per day.  That's one of the lowest prices in recent memory that I can see, and a lot of people thought the same thing.

"How'd you get this deal? The most I get offers for is 35% off," is what one person asked. Another posted, "how'd you get it that low? Any special codes or anything?"

In the case of the person that posted the deal, they said it was luck they ran into a random sale.  But you don't have to let lady luck dictate if you get a good price.

I've found there's a real advantage to making one change so you can jump in on these sales and get the best possible drink package price.

Use the Royal Caribbean app to get notified

I used to be like the person on Reddit that randomly logs into the Cruise Planner site to see if prices have gone down.

I changed my strategy this year because Royal Caribbean has embraced a cavalcade of pop-up sales.

In the past, most sales were primarily centered around major holidays, like July 4th, Christmas, and Black Friday. Those holidays are still excellent times to look for sales, but the cruise line has gotten creative since then.

I've seen more and more sales for seemingly minor reasons, and some don't even have a pretense.

Frankly, I got to the point I was relying on random people on the internet to post about a sale for me to go in and check it.

But I've found a better strategy is to rely on the Royal Caribbean app.

Royal Caribbean's app is essential to use while on the ship, but it's value pre-cruise has become enormous as well.

In the case of these sales, Royal Caribbean has started utilizing push notifications to alert users of a new sale.

Once you have the app installed on your phone, you just need enable app notifications for sales offers.

It's buried in their settings, but I've come to rely on it for how I see sales first.

To get to it, click on the Person Icon (option on the right) and then click Profile at the very top right corner.

Scroll down to the Settings section and click Offers & communication.

From there, enable email or mobile app notifications for Royal Caribbean.  I have it on for Royal Caribbean.

That should do the trick, provided your iPhone settings allow for regular push notifications to come from the Royal Caribbean app in the first place.

There's no guarantee you'll see super low prices

Before you turn on your app notifications and wait for the super low drink prices to roll in, I need to offer a reality check.

Royal Caribbean's drink package prices are vary depending on the ship, itinerary, sail date, and more. 

If you're booked on the brand new Star of the Seas and going over Christmas, don't expect to see prices anywhere as low as this. The bottom line is you'll pay a premium for a drink package (and many other aspects of a cruise) when you sail over a holiday and/or on a new ship.

The difference is you might be able to snag a drink package for a lower price than normal when one of these sales pop up.

Remember, you can always cancel and rebook your Cruise Planner purchases before the sailing begins with no penalty.  So if you buy the drink package today at $72.99 per person, and it drops to $68.99 per per day, per person next month, you can still take advantage of it.

Moreover, you should book it now if you want a drink package because the price can go up and might never come back down.

Royal Caribbean's added a way to track the ships and places you've been, and it's captured the attention of a lot of people who want them all.

Cruise fans have always been a competitive bunch, whether it's bragging rights to be on the maiden voyage of a new ship, reaching the top tiers of the loyalty programs, or sharing impressive itineraries they have book.  

Now there's one more way to prove you are a top cruiser.

Virtual Badges are an achievement tracker that you can find in the Royal Caribbean app, and it's been improved already with new options.

Track destinations and ships

In March, Royal Caribbean quietly added the badges to the app that listed which ships you've sailed on.

There's a total of 29 ships listed that are lit up if you've sailed on it at least once.

It will also indicate how many other cruisers have earned the badge. For instance, according to Royal Caribbean's app, over 1.1 million passengers have sailed aboard Allure of the Seas. 

Freedom and of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are tied for second with 1 million.

Royal Caribbean has added a new feature with destinations.

There are 20 places around the world you can track your progress with.

Different regions of the world Royal Caribbean ships visit are listed, including Bermuda, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Europe, and Mexico.

Not surprisingly, The Caribbean is tops with 4.7 million people with a badge. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a close second with 3.6 million.

The least badges are for South America, with just 14,000 badges out there.

There's no reward or benefit of unlocking new ships.  It's really meant to be a fun way for guests to fondly reminisce.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean explained, "These digital rewards celebrate milestones like ships sailed and destinations visited, creating a visual timeline of each guest’s journey. "

How to see your badges

You can view the badges you have in the Royal Caribbean app.

After opening the app, click the person icon in the top right and then look for the "Profile >" link at the very top. It's to the right of your name.

You'll see "Recent Badges" on that screen. Click "View All" to see them.

If you don't see them yet, you might need to wait a bit. Royal Caribbean says badges can take up to 30 days post-cruise to display.

In the app it says if you're missing any, you can make a request to have it manually added as long as it's been within 12 months after the debarkation date of the sailing.

It's available for Celebrity too

The new feature isn't just for Royal Caribbean, as you can track your Celebrity cruises too.

Being sister companies, the two lines share a common app platform and the new feature is available for those ships too.

"It brought a smile to my face today"

Ever since they first appeared in the app, cruisers have quickly taken to admiring the badges as a fun new extra.

"Thank you for posting this, it brought a smile to my face today," wrote DNelson3055 on Reddit.

Reading_and_Cruising quipped, "This is exactly the kind of motivation I didn't need to have, lol."

Time_Slayer_1 added, "This will be the reason I’ll actually book on the older ships now."

One notable missing feature: retired ships

Now that destinations have been added, I hope retired ships are next.

Royal Caribbean cruisers are a proud bunch, and being able to show off they go back many years is just as important as getting on the new ones.

Unfortunately ships like Monarch of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Song of America, Song of Norway, and the original Legend of the Seas aren't in the app yet.

There's nothing more awkward than talking about how much to tip someone on a cruise, but the last thing anyone wants to do is insult a hard working crew member by stiffing them.

Gratuities have been a part of the cruise industry for decades, but they've also evolved to reflect changing views. The rates and how tips are offered have changed since I first started cruising.

New cruisers usually have two questions about tipping on a cruise ship: How much to tip and who to tip.

Here's what you need to know about how gratuities work and how much you should tip.

Automatic gratuities cover the basics

Royal Caribbean has an automatic gratuity that you'll run into off the bat.

There's an automatic daily charge, and you can either pre-pay it or wait to have it charged onboard. Residents of Australia actually have the automatic gratuities included in their cruise fare.

There's no right or wrong answer, it's up to you if you'd rather get it paid in advance or pay it later. Personally, I pre-pay just to lessen my onboard spending bill.

The automatic gratuities cover:

• Your stateroom attendant
• Dining Room waiters
• Head waiter

The current gratuity rate is $18.50 per person, per day in standard cabins, and $21.00 per person, per day in suites.

You don't have to tip more than that, but if you wanted to, you could give those people extra cash as you see fit.

Why tip them more? If you feel that crew member went above and beyond and truly did something special for your family, there could be a reason to give them something extra.

How much extra? I've tipped stateroom attendants anywhere from $20 to $100 extra, depending on the situation.  For waiters in the restaurants, about $20.  

The automatic gratuity does not include gratuities you'll encounter elsewhere on the ship.

For example, if you order a drink, there's an automatic 18% gratuity that gets added to your bill.  Or if you visit the spa for a massage, you'll see a service charge added to that too.

There's nothing to do, it's a line item on your bill.

Beyond that, there's a number of discretionary tips you should plan on.

Porters

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are porters to take your luggage and deliver it to your cabin.

Likewise, at the end of the cruise, there are porters to assist you with picking up your luggage and taking it through the terminal and to your car, bus, or taxi.

I'd recommend tipping $1-$2 per bag.

When ordering a drink

As I mentioned earlier, any drink you order comes with an automatic 18% service charge and that is effectively your tip.

I'll still tip $1 per drink in cash on top of that, but it has less to do with the service.  I do so because tipping just $1 extra tends to get me better service later.

When the bar is busy, the bartenders and waiters definitely give preferential treatment to those that tip extra.  

I think it's worth it not only to reward attentive service, but ensure I'm not waiting a long time for my next one.

Occasionally, it gets me a free drink too, but you can't bet on that.

Specialty restaurants

Similar to drinks, you'll pay an automatic gratuity at the specialty restaurants on top of the cover charge or cost to eat there.

I usually tip $20 per meal extra, but it depends on the service we get.

I don't have a good rationale why I do or even how I came up with that number, but it's what I do.

Room service

Royal Caribbean includes a service charge with the cost of room service, but the complimentary continental breakfast has no cost.

I very rarely ever order room service other than breakfast, so I'll tip them between $2-$5 extra for bringing my food to the room.

Royal Genie

I've been lucky enough to stay in a few of Royal Caribbean's biggest and most expensive suites, which includes the services of the Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie is shared between a few suites, and they make your cruise as easy as possible. They can cut the lines for you, get priority elevators, make any reservation you need, and otherwise be your "magic maker".

The first time I stayed in Star Class I was completely lost how much to tip them.

The overwhelming consistent answer I found in the Royal Caribbean Star Class Facebook group is to tip the genie $100 per day.

I really don't think any genie would scoff at any tip amount. They appreciate what you feel is appropriate, and they're certainly not standing with their hand open on the final morning.

Cabana attendant

You can rent cabanas at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, and you'll have a cabana attendant for the day with your cabana.

The cabana attendant is there to bring you food, drinks, towels, or anything else you need during your stay.

The amount to tip depends largely on how much you utilize their services and size of your group. Some cabanas can accommodate up to 8 people.

Given that you're there for the entire day and that person might be running back and forth bringing food and drinks a lot, the amount to tip varies considerably.

I usually tip between $50 - $100 to the cabana attendant, and I'll often split that cost with friends.

Shore excursion tour guide

Tour guides are optional to tip during shore excursions, and I think how much to tip truly depends on a number of factors.

Tour guides play different roles depending on the nature of the trip. A snorkel excursion with someone actively helping you or a family member in the water is vastly different than a bus tour narrator.

In addition, you're almost always with a group and theoretically others are tipping too.

It's hard to give a good number, but $10-$20 for a tour host that is helpful, passionate, or insightful would be appropriate.  To be fair, I have not tipped tour guides in the past if they're glorified babysitters.

Entertainers in bars

Royal Caribbean has some amazing performers in various bars and lounges, and you could tip them too.

Most people don't tip the singers or performers, so it's really a matter of your choice in rewarding their skills and entertaining.

An unwritten rule of these bars is if you make a song request and they play it, you should tip them.

I'll tip bar entertainers $5-$20, depending if I'm tipping for one song or a few song requests.  Yes, I did tip the Mason Jar band $100 once to stop playing "Sweet Caroline" immediately. You're welcome.

Casino

Another unwritten rule is you should tip the casino dealers periodically.

Casino dealers at the various table games are there to keep the fun going, and the good ones will even step in and help you avoid making a mistake.

A dollar or two periodically works, especially if you're winning money.

You do you

All of the tipping amounts are ballpark figures of what you could consider, they're not rules about what you should or shouldn't do.

I have no doubt the comments section for this article have already erupted because some people cannot handle how others choose to spend their money.  Ignore them, and always rely on the principle of do what feels right for you.

The only people that absolutely should be tipped extra beyond Royal Caribbean's automatic gratuity include:

• Porters
• Cabana attendants
• Royal Genies

Everything else is completely discretionary and there is no right or wrong answer. 

Crew members are appreciative of anything you can provide them, and I can safely say I've never heard of a crew member that was insulted by an additional tip from a guest.

The one faux pas you can make with tipping is not tipping at all.  Removing the automatic gratuity at Guest Services as a cost-savings measure is a really egregious act.