Planning a great cruise isn’t difficult, but it can take some time to navigate the nuances of choosing the ship, sailing, and stateroom right for you.
Royal Caribbean sails to every part of the world and features award-winning onboard entertainment and amusement. With the myriad of options available, it can be challenging to begin your journey.
We recommend starting with establishing your budget—take into account the fare, taxes and fees, gratuities, shore excursions, onboard spending, and transportation.
Next, choose a sailing by determining the length and region you’d prefer to cruise to.
You’ll then choose a particular ship and stateroom type, proceeding with booking through the website or with a travel agent.
Purchasing your cruise is just the beginning. Here you’ll find helpful tips and advice to help you create an unforgettable vacation with Royal Caribbean.
You booked an amazing cruise, but the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for the place you’re scheduled to go.
This scenario plays out a lot because cruise ships tend to visit countries around the world that have their issues.
Should you cancel? Will Royal Caribbean change the itinerary?
One vacationer is booked on Jewel of the Seas for a cruise in April wrote on Facebook, “Has anyone read that there is a travel warning for Belize City, Belize?”
“What are your thoughts? Should I be sacred?” is what this person wrote, and it’s a commonly asked question related to many other ports.
Here’s what these warnings mean and how they apply to your cruise.
The United States State Department has warnings for Americans traveling around the world, and they use different levels to convey how concerning the issues are.
These warnings are all listed on the State Department website, and are updated as needed.
A Level 1 warning is the lowest warning, and it’s described as “Exercise normal precautions.”
Level 2 is a step up, and changes the wording to be “Exercise increased caution.” 
In both cases, the government wants Americans to be less cavalier than usual, and to be aware of the minor issues that have flared up recently.
Many countries have a Level 1 or Level 2 warning, including the United Kingdom, Greece, Denmark, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada.
When you get to Level 3, the warning changes to “Reconsider Travel”.  And then you have Level 4 of “Do Not Travel”.
These are more serious warnings that alert Americans to terrorism threats, war, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, high crime rates and other personal security issues.
Countries with the Level 4 warning are ones that are either known for having a history of internal strife or enduring wars, such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Burma, Syria, or Lebanon.
Usually, cruise lines don’t change their plans, even for a Level 3 or 4 warning.
That might sound strange, but the reality is these warnings apply to specific areas of the country and not necessarily where your cruise ship will visit. Violent crime rarely involves tourists.
That isn’t to say the warning isn’t important, but the places tourists go aren’t necessarily where the problems occur.
In the case of Belize, the warning was related to violent crime on the south side of the city.  When reading the warning, the State Department clearly says, “This area (south of Haulover Creek Canal and continuing south to Fabers Road) does not overlap with the typical tourism areas. “
Most shore excursions in Belize City actually take place in the ocean, surrounding jungle, or caves. According to Viator’s list of Belize City tours, nearly all of them took place in the jungle, around ruins, or on the water. 
Most importantly, Royal Caribbean has a team that monitors safety issues around the world.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, “The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.”
“At all times, we remind guests to remain aware of their surroundings while ashore and follow all State Department guidelines. 
“Should any changes be required, guests will be notified directly.”
Essentially, the decision to change an itinerary depends on the specific situation in that country and how it impacts tourism areas.
Travel warnings shouldn’t be ignored, but they aren’t a reason to cancel your plans either.
There’s risk with almost anything you do, and that extends to travel.  Of course, that risk also applies to cities in our own country too.
Many countries have had travel warnings for many years, and the State Department re-issuing similar warnings is not new, per se.
If you are truly concerned, you don’t have to get off the ship. There’s no requirement to go on a shore excursion.
The tour operators that Royal Caribbean partners with are vetted by the cruise line for safety, and if there’s unnecessary risks involved, the tour is cancelled. 
An example of this was when a ferry boat sank to Blue Lagoon in The Bahamas.  Following the incident, cruise lines pulled bookings until the tour operator addressed safety issues.  
In a more extreme example, Royal Caribbean suspended visits to its private destination of Labadee for many months until it was determined their ships could return again.
The purpose of these travel warnings is to give travelers insight into issues occurring in these countries.
The most notable travel warning has to do with Haiti because that’s where a lot of Royal Caribbean ships visit.
Haiti has a Level 4 warning, and the country’s issues have been well-documented in the news.
The State Department warning states, “Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed.”
That’s lead to a lot of concerned cruisers who have sailings that visit Royal Caribbean’s private beach in Labadee, which is a small peninsula in northern Haiti.
It’s important to remember where Labadee is located, as it’s on a peninsula walled off from the rest of the country. There is a large wall and barbed wire fence between the property line and the outside, and Labadee has its own private security.
Moreover, there has not been any fighting or civil strife anywhere near Labadee.
If you’re a frequent cruiser, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in the same cruise routine. Humans are creatures of habit and gravitate towards familiar, comfortable experiences. This can be true even while traveling when you’re already outside of your normal comfort zone!
For one Royal Caribbean cruiser, switching things up during her recent Royal Caribbean cruise was an eye-opening experience. Seasoned cruiser, Patty, recently sailed onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas on a 5-night sailing to the Western Caribbean.
Patty explained that she’s been cruising for over 30 years with her first cruise in 1992 with Norwegian Cruise Line. She has cruised around the world, including a recent sailing to Australia and Bali with her family. In addition, she has cruised to Europe and Asia with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. However, she has visited the Caribbean more times than any other port of call in the world.
During her 5-night sailing, Patty visited Cozumel, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. For some cruisers, the ports of call will always be the highlight of any sailing. However, Patty normally finds the onboard experience to be her favorite part of any cruise. From the delectable dining to the onboard activities and show-stopping entertainment, Patty finds herself enjoying the ship as much as she’s exploring ashore.
Looking to expand her cruising horizons, Patty decided to try a few new things instead of sticking to her 30-year cruising routine. Some changes were small while others were more significant. Overall, these new experiences resulted in an “exceptional” Royal Caribbean cruise.
When boarding a cruise ship, embarkation day can be quite hectic. Between busy cruise terminals, muster drill requirements, unpacking your suitcase, and getting settled, some might be surprised by the chaotic nature of embarkation day.
To kick off her vacation on the right foot, Patty decided to head straight to the bar after boarding. It’s not an unusual stop for most vacationers, but Patty shares she often doesn’t have a cocktail until later in the evening when cruising. Normally, she is in a hurry to visit the Windjammer buffet after boarding, along with dropping off carry-on luggage and checking her table location in the Main Dining Room.
Speaking of the Windjammer, Patty decided on the first day of her cruise that she wanted to skip the crazy buffet for lunch. Most cruisers head straight to the buffet on embarkation day, creating long lines. Sometimes, it’s hard even to find a table for lunch during this time!
Instead, Patty decided to visit a new quick-casual dining option on Independence of the Seas: Fish and Ships. As a seafood lover, Patty was eager to try the new-to-her restaurant. The complimentary dining option is only available on Independence of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.
Located on the pool deck, Patty found there was no one in line at Fish and Ships. This was a welcomed change from the crowded buffet. The menu included a few no-cost options, such as fried shrimp with chips, fish sandwich, fish and chips, and chicken fingers.
Patty was excited to try the fish and chips, along with the breaded shrimp. She found the fish to be very tasty and fried with a thick breading. Although the shrimp was smaller than expected, these were enjoyable as well. Patty’s travel companion was not a seafood fan, so instead, she ordered the chicken tenders with French fries. The tenders were so small, Patty said they seemed mislabeled and should have been called chicken nuggets.
After visiting Cozumel more times than she can count, Patty decided to stay aboard Independence of the Seas rather than heading ashore. In addition, the weather was hot and muggy. With this, Patty wanted to experience a quieter cruise ship while most guests decided to go ashore.
Even after cruising for more than three decades, Patty had never been in the spa to visit the sauna or steam room before. Without allocating dedicated time to try the spa’s amenities, it’s always too busy for her to stop by. In addition, some cruise ships charge to visit these spa amenities, so Patty was happy to try both for free.
Unsurprisingly, Patty was the only person in the women’s sauna and steam room. As suspected, most passengers had disembarked for the itinerary’s port of call, especially with only two stops on the sailing. Patty shared that the facilities were clean, as she anticipated, and she appreciated being the only person in the space. “It was calming since I had no idea what I was doing,” she explained.
Although she had some questions, Patty stated the spa had signage with instructions and warnings for passengers. While some might glaze over these, Patty felt it was important to understand the facilities.
First, she decided to try the sauna. The instructions stated to add water to the coals, so Patty did as instructed. The rules also advised that spa visitors should only stay in the sauna for 10 minutes or less. To be safe, Patty shared she only stayed in the sauna for 7 minutes due to being alone and having high blood pressure.
Up next, she ventured over to the steam room in the spa. She described the space as having a single-tile seat to rest on. Unfortunately, the steam room was claustrophobic to Patty because the steam was so thick. Again, she decided to only stay in the steam room for less than 10 minutes – not that she wanted to spend any extra time.
To complete her spa visit, Patty cooled off in the shower. She shared how she enjoyed using the extra-large shower in the spa compared to her interior cabin’s tiny shower. Although she was glad to try the sauna and steam room for the first time, Patty doesn’t necessarily need to visit these facilities again.
Staying in an inside stateroom, Patty wanted to try a few small changes to enhance her cabin experience. After reading a blog post on our site about questions to ask your cabin steward, she learned about the option to ask for mattress toppers. Because cruise beds are often too firm for her liking, Patty wanted to see if the mattress topper would enhance her quality of sleep.
After boarding on the first day of her cruise, Patty asked the cabin steward if she could have a mattress topper added to her bed. She returned that evening to find the mattress topper already on her bed. Patty was pleased with the mattress topper, stating how she slept better on the softened mattress.
To optimize the cabin space, Patty wanted to try another new strategy. Originally, she explained her interior cabin had one nightstand on both sides of the bed. Patty decided to rearrange the cabin so each bed was against the cabin wall, allowing more space between the beds for navigating the room.
By pushing the beds against the wall, Patty was also able to stack pillows along the side of the wall for comfortable side sleeping. This prevents the pillows from falling all over the floor as well, so Patty will continue separating her bed like this in the future.
See more: I stayed in the cheapest, smallest cabin on Independence of the Seas. Look inside my 162-square-foot room
Other small changes included extra pillows and more hangers for the closet to provide more hanging space for her clothes. Finally, Patty requested a paper Cruise Compass to be delivered daily because she doesn’t always enjoy using the Royal Caribbean app.
Luckily, their cabin steward was happy to accommodate these requests and Patty found the small enhancements to make a big difference during her cruise.
When Patty cruises, she typically only visits a specialty dining restaurant once during her sailing. Never before had she thought to revisit the same specialty dining restaurant more than once during the same cruise.
During her time on Independence of the Seas, Patty had onboard credit to spend before the end of the cruise. She opted to try Giovanni’s Table for lunch on the first sea day for only $22.99 compared to $54.99 per person for dinner to save money. 
Patty described the lunch as fantastic, starting with the crispy calamari. She felt the serving size was easily five times the size of what the Main Dining Room would serve. The lightly breaded calamari had a crispy coating and was served with lemon garlic aioli and tomato sauce. In fact, she couldn’t stop talking about how good the heavenly calamari was!
For her main entree, Patty decided to try the fillet mignon after her waiter highly recommended it. She decided to try the fillet with smaller pasta dishes for the sides. Patty said the waiter was right and the steak was incredible, cooked to perfection, and very tender. She argues the fillet is better than what she’s had in Chops Grille Steakhouse on Royal Caribbean.
After a wonderful first visit, they returned to Giovanni’s. On the last day of her cruise, Patty shared how her waiter from lunch was promoting the restaurant. He remembered her and offered to make her a deal to return that night. To her surprise, the waiter offered a BOGO deal for both Patty and her guest to dine for only $54.99 each.
Read more: Everything I ate on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas: Food review and pictures
After a subpar experience in the Main Dining Room, Patty didn’t hesitate to accept the BOGO offer. Normally, she enjoys connecting with the waitstaff in the dining room throughout her cruise, but found this wasn’t the case on her short cruise. She stated, “This was the first time I can ever remember not wanting to be in the Main Dining Room on the last night of a cruise.”
As such, Patty dined at Giovanni’s for the final night of her cruise and ordered nearly the same meal. She couldn’t resist ordering the amazing calamari once more, along with the fantastic fillet.
When cruising with Royal Caribbean, Patty normally enjoys breakfast in the Windjammer or Main Dining Room. While she’s considered ordering room service before, she had never found the right opportunity to do so.
On this cruise, she wanted to splurge and try Royal Caribbean’s complimentary room service option for breakfast. She ordered her breakfast to be delivered between 9 and 9:30 a.m., hoping her must-have coffee wouldn’t be served lukewarm. Patty also ordered an English muffin and fruit plate for breakfast.
At promptly 8:50 a.m., the room service department rang her cabin to ensure she was awake to receive the order. A few minutes later, the meal was delivered to her stateroom. Patty was delighted to find her coffee was in a carafe and served very hot – just the way she likes it. She anticipated the English muffin might also be served lukewarm, but found it was still warm as well.
Overall, she was very impressed by the experience and found it was a nice way to start the day while her roommate wanted to sleep in. Patty questioned why she had never ordered room service before and will definitely continue doing so in the future!
Another thing Patty wanted to try was the light breakfast in the Diamond Lounge for top-tier loyalty members. She describes how breakfast was served until 10 a.m. on sea days and this particular sailing had very few top-tier loyalty members. Patty was the only person in the lounge for breakfast, so it was quite relaxing.
The lounge served a nice continental breakfast, which included pastries, yogurt, fruit, juice, and specialty coffee. Even better, the lounge featured a beautiful view of the ocean!
During her sailing on Independence of the Seas, the musical Grease was showing at 7:00 p.m. on formal night. Patty was looking forward to seeing the Broadway musical during her cruise, although the time conflicted with dinner in the Main Dining Room.
Instead, Patty opted to skip the dining room to have dinner in the Windjammer buffet on formal night. This was the first time Patty had ever skipped formal night in the dining room after 30-plus years of cruising. Following the musical, she made her way to the buffet for a late dinner. While she is usually pleased with the Main Dining Room, Patty enjoyed trying something different on formal night.
To start, she was surprised to find that the buffet had a similar theme as the Main Dining Room. The formal night theme in the main dining room was “Savor La France” while the Windjammer theme was “A Taste of France.” Because of this, most of the food being served in the Main Dining Room was also available in the buffet.
One of the highlights of their casual dining experience was finding a nice window seat to enjoy the aft-facing views of the ship. Patty was able to watch the sunset during her dinner in the Windjammer; in comparison, her Main Dining Room table was smack-dab in the middle of the large dining hall, far away from any ocean views. Being able to savor the sunset without battling any crowds made for a memorable dinner.
The Windjammer offered a crepe bar with tasty toppings to try, so Patty opted to try the strawberry and chocolate crepe. Although the food was fine, she likely won’t return to the buffet for formal dinner when given the option. 
In the future, Patty also concludes she probably won’t get dressed up for formal night if she isn’t heading to the dining room anyway. Grabbing buffet food in her gown seemed too casual for formal night, and Patty shared she missed having a longer meal in the dining room.
During this short cruise, Patty challenged herself to do little things differently in hopes of creating some new cruise traditions and routines. You never know unless you try!
Patty is a relatively new diabetic and wanted to see how Royal Caribbean could accommodate her dietary needs. As such, she ordered the low-sugar options in the dining room for dessert. These included vanilla ice cream, coffee pot de creme, coconut cake, and dark chocolate custard.
Of course, Patty found the desserts were not as good as full-sugar desserts. But, she was happy to see options provided as a choice for those trying to watch their weight or needing to monitor their blood sugar. Even as a diabetic, Patty was able to enjoy one of her favorite things about cruising, which is always the food!
In the same way, Patty found Johnny Rockets was accommodating to her dietary requests. She felt guilty ordering a full milkshake because of the sugar content, but she didn’t want to be wasteful. Instead, she inquired about whether she could order a half-size milkshake instead of the full-size. To her surprise, the crew was happy to accommodate the request and the smaller size satisfied her sweet tooth.
Additionally, Patty shared how she sat on the promenade deck one evening after sunset and gazed at the stars. This was a new way to relax while finding a serene place away from other cruisers. It almost felt like having the ship to herself.
Finally, Patty decided on disembarkation day to visit the coffee shop while waiting for their numbers to be called. She was surprised that her Diamond voucher was accepted for the specialty coffee, and felt this was a wonderful way to end her vacation. She never considered this as a possibility, but she was glad she asked about using her voucher before heading home.
“Maybe it’s my age, but it’s funny how you can get in a rut doing the same routines while cruising. I enjoyed pushing myself to make some changes. They were small, but they added to the overall experience on our Independence of the Seas cruise. Anytime I can cruise with one of my daughters, I’m in,” concluded Patty.
No one wants to waste money, but there are certain purchases vacationers have made on cruise ships and regretted it.
A Royal Caribbean cruise offers a lot of choice in how you vacation, including a number of extra cost options.  It’s your choice if you want to buy them, but some left some cruisers not loving their decision.
“Spa services. Staff will make you feel badly about yourself as they push products and additional services,” is what one user on Reddit posted after being asked which Royal Caribbean purchase they instantly or later on thought probably didn’t think was the best buy.
“Don’t waste your money.”
Any purchase made is going to be subjective, but it’s interesting to see if there are any patterns to what’s deemed a poor choice.
Over 400 comments were made on the Reddit thread sharing everyone’s cruise buying regrets, and here are the most popular answers.
A relaxing or therapeutic spa service on a cruise ship topped the list of things past cruisers regretted spending their money on while cruising.
Over 20 people cited the spa as being a bad buy.
Every Royal Caribbean ship has a spa onboard where you can elect to purchase various treatments. There’s also a salon for getting your hair or nails done.
Most of the comments were not complaining about a massage treatment, but rather, centered around the hard sells staff would make with it.
“Staff will make you feel badly about yourself as they push products and additional services. Don’t waste your money,” is what Cartographer-Happy wrote.
Jane_Marie_CA wrote, “The cost of services are similar in price to the nice hotel day spa close to the my house. And the pushy sales pitch on board is awful.”
“The spa service just didn’t deliver on anything they promised, and I had major buyers remorse after seeing the prices,” added Background-Cat4269.
One trick I’ve learned when going to spa is to simply inform the masseuse or stylist at the very start that you’re happy to be there, but not interested in buying any products.  
The sales pitches usually occur at the end of the treatment, but a comment in the beginning before it begins usually works well.
A number of cruises lamented paying for bingo, as it wasn’t what they expected.
There’s usually a few different bingo sessions on all ships, with some of the prizes a progressive jackpot.  
In most cases, guests have the choice of purchasing a number of bingo cards to play simultaneously or even a self-playing bingo machine.
“50 bucks entry, something like 200 entrants, for a 600 dollar prize,” wrote Candelphins1897.
Mean_Breadfruit_1978 added, “it wasn’t regular bingo and I probably shouldn’t have done that. It was over really fast too.”
” I could have had more fun that hour sitting by the pool and saved $70. Damn do they make a killing on bingo,” wrote gnumadic.
Perhaps the one surprise on this list for me were the amount of people that did not enjoy their meal at Jamie’s Italian.
On some ships, Royal Caribbean has Jamie’s Italian instead of their in-house Italian restaurant.  It’s a partnership that was born out of the launch of the Quantum Class in 2014, and it spread to a few ships before the cruise line decided to invest in revamping its own restaurant.
“Jamies has been hit or miss for me. Prefer Giovanni’s for sure though,” User_Name_Tooken wrote.
“Gotta agree with Jamie’s. Our last time we only went once and we had the [Unlimited Dining Plan],” imarebelpilot said.
Other specialty restaurants were named across the 400 comments in this thread, but Jamie’s seemed to have the most contempt.  
Many people complained they thought the art auctions were a waste of time.
You’ll find an art auction held during your Royal Caribbean cruise, which is operated by a company named Park West.  
It seems the issue a lot of people had was the so-called value of buying this art that’s put on by the auctioneers.
OnlyAbbreviations226 shared the regret at spending the money on it all, “we spent so much money we didn’t know any better. I have pieces all over the house and some in the closet.”
“They are pretty and look nice. But as other people have said could have gotten same on line for a lot less money.”
“Park west artwork. Only buy it if you like it, not because you think it’s worth anything. It’s mostly all worthless,” Recommended No_Eye1022.
One of the top reasons to attend the art auction is the free champagne, as well as the spectacle that is bidding in a live auction.  
Another surprise were the amount of people that felt they wasted money on the gold chains you can buy on ships by the inch.
Usually there’s a table set up on the Royal Promenade or near the Windjammer where you can buy gold chains at whatever length you prefer.
The issue seems to be the chains weren’t a bad price, but would break later, usually where the crew member cut it off.
“I got a silver one and it broke,” one person wrote. Another replied, ” Mine broke right where they cut it  and I am sure I can get pliers and fix it. But so annoying.”
Speaking of jewelry, another bad buy cited by cruisers were watches.
You can find cheap watches, as well as expensive name brand ones, for sale in the shops on a cruise ship.
PrettyLaLa87 wrote, “My husband bought a stupid Invicta watch. I told him not to.” 
That comment set off a lot of responses about how the price onboard can vary greatly from what you’d find on land.
When it comes to anything you buy on a ship, ignore any claims of how good a bargain that are made.  Look at it purely as something you’d like to own because it looks nice.
If you are truly looking for a good value in your buy, my advice is to check the price of the item online to price shop and compare.
Lastly, some cruisers thought many of the drinks they bought were a bad idea in retrospect.
Some had issues with specific drinks, while others felt they wasted their money on a drink package.
A beverage package isn’t a flat out good value for everyone. You need to know your drinking preferences in order to gauge if it’s a good buy.
Generally speaking, you need to drink at least 5-6 drinks every day to “break even” on the cost of the package. Otherwise, you are probably better off financially paying for each drink individually.
Nonetheless, a lot of cruisers elect to buy a beverage package for the convenience factor. There’s less remorse about “wasting a drink” if you try something new, as well as the speed of getting a drink since there’s no receipts to sign.
Timing is everything, including when you should book a cruise as it can mean the difference between an average price and a great deal.
Cruise vacations have never been more popular because of how convenient and family-friendly this type of a trip can be, and that demand has sent prices skyrocketing.
I’ve booked cruises years in advance, as well as just a few days before sailing.  There are advantages to both, but I’ve found it far more advantageous to book early than wait for a last minute deal.
Booking early is a bit of a gamble in terms of paying too much, but waiting until a few months before sailing might leave you with few appealing options.
Based on our team’s hundreds of collective cruises, we’ve figured out that how early you should book a cruise is almost a trick question because there is no such thing as too early.
Royal Caribbean will open up its bookings as early as two years or more prior to the sail date.
Typically, they release new sailings for guests to book at regular periods during the year and the advantage of booking a cruise right when sailings get announced is the fact inventory is at its highest.  
Once a sailing is open for booking, you may reserve a cabin at any point all the way until the week of the sailing.  
As cabins get sold, prices tend to go up.
Royal Caribbean uses a pricing algorithm to determine the price of a cruise, and there are many factors.  But there’s no question that prices go up as cabins are sold and inventory drops off.
There are four key reasons to book a cruise as soon as you can.
First, you’ll have the widest selection of cabins available.  
Every ship comes staterooms of various configurations, from tiny inside rooms to spacious suites.  The first rooms to sell out on a cruise are usually the cheapest ones and the suites.  That’s because there’s limited availability of those rooms.
Modern cruise ships have a lot of balcony rooms, so they are the last to sell out.  
By booking early, you have more choice in the cabin category, as well as the location. You can get a great room on the back of the ship or right near an elevator. Best yet, you won’t have to settle for a room that has noise problems.
The second advantage of booking your cruise early will be being able to take advantage of discounts and promotions.
Royal Caribbean offers a sale all the time, but you could take advantage of an offer that will actually save money.
Whether it’s a Black Friday deal or bonus instant savings around a major holiday, you can tie those offers into the perfect cabin you want.
An equally important reason to book early is for the flexibility you have with ships, itineraries, and sail dates.
There’s less compromise when you can cherry pick the exact ship and date to go on when you book early.  Waiting means a particular itinerary could sell out, and then you’re scrambling to find something else.  Inevitably in this scenario, you’re option for a secondary choice.
Lastly, booking a cruise super early gives you greater piece of mind because you have more time to plan it all out.
When you have years to plan a cruise, you’ll have all the time in the world to budget, pick out the perfect shore excursions, and get everything lined up for a wonderful cruise.
Plus, you can budget it all together. I love to have my travel agent make regular payments so I’m not hit with a giant final payment closer to the sail date.
Waiting until the final weeks before a sailing to book a cruise has its benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of before booking anything.
Booking a cruise at the last minute is like rolling the dice, with the hope a ship, itinerary and stateroom will be available at a cost you are comfortable with.  Moreover, because Royal Caribbean cruises have become more and more popular, last minute deals are fewer and fewer between.
However, you might get lucky with a significant discount.  This happens when there’s a cancellation or a specific sailing isn’t selling that well and the cruise line wants to “encourage” sales so they lower the price.
The best last-minute deals are usually during slower times of the year, such as when school is in session or it is hurricane season.
If you are flying to a cruise, quite often any last minute cruise savings may be negated by high airfare prices.
The ideal last-minute cruiser should be someone that is very flexible and can go on a cruise with little notice. 
Often I see last-minute prices that show up in the morning, but are sold out by that evening. It’s the kind of booking you need to jump on immediately, and you can’t be picky either.
If you’re booking a cruise with just a few weeks before the sailing, there will not be many cabins to choose from. You’ll need to be someone with minimal requirements for a cabin type. Likewise, where your ship is also going to be limited in choice.
There’s no question a solo traveler or a couple will have an easier time with a last-minute cruise deal, compared to a family or large group.
The key to getting the best price is to book your cruise as soon as you know you want to go on the sailing and lock in the cabin you prefer.
In general, I’d recommend booking a cruise at least 9-12 months in advance to get the greatest selection of rates and sail dates. If you want to book a holiday sailing, then you need to book 12-18 months early to get a spot at a reasonable cost. 
The ideal strategy for booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is if you live in a country where you can reprice your cruise up until final payment date. Residents of the United States, Canada and select other countries are able to contact Royal Caribbean if there is a price drop and take advantage of the lower price.
By booking 12, 18 or even 24 months in advance, you have the luxury of watching the price and making a price adjustment if there is a lower price offered. You can do this unlimited amount of times until the final payment date at 90 days prior to sailing. 
In addition to the lower prices, booking well in-advance of a cruise assures you of the ship and stateroom you want to reserve. Suites and some of the higher in-demand cabins are the first to be reserved, and waiting to book usually results in far fewer choices. Moreover, my observation is the price for a suite on Royal Caribbean tends to only go up over time at a greater rate than standard cabins.
The short answer is, not always, but you should always book with a travel agent.
In the 21st century, it is not difficult to reserve a cruise for your family, but travel agents provide a great deal of service and expertise that goes beyond simply placing a reservation.
A good travel agent has knowledge of all the ways they can save you money on a cruise. There are a variety of discounts offered by the cruise line that are not often apparent to someone browsing Royal Caribbean’s homepage. Moreover, travel agents can have access to group pricing and special promotions only available to their agency and partners.
Beyond saving money, a good travel agent is your advocate during the entire vacation, from booking to cruise and beyond.  If an issue arises, or a billing discrepancy occurs, having a travel agent is worth it every time because they are the ones dealing with the cruise line instead of you. 
Most importantly, a good travel agent should cost you absolutely nothing extra to use their services. The cruise line pays the travel agent a commission for their services, and the price is the same for you whether you use an agent or not. So you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by using a good travel agent.
There are many wonderful travel agents that specialize in Royal Caribbean.  If you have read other posts on the blog, you might be aware that I use MEI-Travel for booking all of my Royal Caribbean cruises, and I can personally attest that they are fantastic!
Millions of people will take a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025, and there are important tips to have a great vacation this year!
2025 is set to be a big year for Royal Caribbean with the launch of their second Icon Class ship, finally updating Allure of the Seas, and unveiling a new exclusive beach club experience in Nassau.
Whether you’re a devout Royal Caribbean cruiser or new to the brand, there are some important do’s and don’ts to consider when planning your cruise in 2025 to help you maximize your time onboard and minimize any pre-vacation stress.
As in previous years, you’ll want to follow timeless cruise tips, such as pre-purchasing cruise add-ons, arriving the night before your ship is scheduled to depart, and repricing your cruise until final payment.
Here’s our list of the best 25 do’s and don’ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025.
You should expect higher prices for a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025, and that’s because of how red hot demand is for this type of vacation.
In looking at Royal Caribbean Group’s quarterly results, customers are consistently paying more for cruises and booking them in higher numbers. As a result, Royal Caribbean Group executives plan for the higher pricing trend to continue into 2025 and beyond. 
While fares are higher, you can take an affordable vacation by staying in interior staterooms, sticking to complimentary dining, and cruising during the off-season.  
What this means is 2025 isn’t the year of waiting for a price drop.
Travel agents are valuable resources for even the most seasoned cruisers because they act as experts for all things Royal Caribbean. Whether you can’t decide between an itinerary, want advice on a cabin, or have some questions about the complimentary activities, you’ll benefit from utilizing a travel agent when booking your 2025 Royal Caribbean cruise. 
Travel agents also have access to exclusive deals not available when booking directly with the cruise line, which means they’ll save you time when planning your cruise and likely help you save money!
If you booked a cruise onboard at NextCruise, you can transfer your reservation to your travel agent once home. This lets you take advantage of the onboard booking bonus and the perks of an agent! 
One of the riskiest things you can do when making pre-cruise arrangements is booking your flight for the same day your ship departs. 
An unexpected flight delay or cancellation could cause you to miss your long-awaited cruise, and you might not have the opportunity to meet up with it at a later port of call. Even if you do, flying to the next port at the last minute will be expensive and stressful. 
To be safe, you should always fly into your cruise port at least the night before. Even if you think a 6:00am departure will arrive early enough, consider the time it takes to deplane, collect your luggage, and get to the port. Traffic delays are just as unpredictable as airfare!
Speaking of missing cruise ships, travel insurance is crucial regardless of whether you’re going on a 3-night Bahamas voyage or a 14-night transatlantic sailing. 
A good policy will cover things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay coverage, baggage delays, emergency medical coverage, onboard medical expenses, and more. You don’t want to be stuck with a hefty bill for onboard medical services because you neglected to purchase insurance. 
If you’re a frequent traveler, consider an annual policy. It’s easier and more cost-effective than purchasing insurance directly through Royal Caribbean for each sailing. Plus, it’ll cover other land-based trips.
Read more: Cruise travel insurance and why you need it
Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner is the best place to begin planning your vacation. This is where you’ll find cruise line-sponsored shore excursions, drink and Wi-Fi packages, specialty restaurants, and more.
You’ll often save money by pre-purchasing your add-ons, rather than waiting until you’re onboard. Once on the ship, you cannot take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s pre-cruise sales, which can help save hundreds of dollars on everything from drink packages to excursions. 
Plus, you will have the most available options by making all your reservations in advance. It’s not uncommon for shore excursions and specialty restaurants to sell out ahead of time. 
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site
Inside cabins offer the best deal but are not the right choice for all travelers. These windowless rooms are typically the smallest onboard. 
If you’re sailing on a ship like Utopia or Icon of the Seas, you might assume you’ll spend little time in your cabin. However, even if not in the room often, the cost of a balcony is still worth it for some because of the extra living space.
Moreover, the most affordable cruise fares are often on older ships, such as Enchantment of the Seas. The lack of amenities on older vessels can be disappointing to some. If you’re looking forward to trying the FlowRider or ice skating at sea, avoid older Royal Caribbean ships. 
Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin guide
Before arriving at the terminal, download Royal Caribbean’s mobile app. 
It’ll be your lifeline onboard, with everything from the e-muster drill to the daily schedule and your onboard statement available at your fingertips. 
Additionally, you can chat with other guests, book specialty restaurants, browse photos, and check out the rotating Main Dining Room menus whether you’re relaxing in your cabin or moving about the ship.
Royal Caribbean ships are some of the most sought-after at sea, so it’s not surprising to learn that a 2023 report revealed Royal Caribbean ships sailed at 102.1% capacity during the first quarter of the year. 
In fact, it’s common for cruise ships to sail above capacity between 103% and 107%, as some cabins can accommodate three, four, five, and six guests.
Though crowds are inevitable on cruise ships, venues are designed to comfortably accommodate many guests at once. Activities are also strategically offered to disperse passengers, keeping them active around the ship.  
Royal Caribbean offers two dining options for dinner in the Main Dining Room: traditional and My Time Dining. If you select My Time, you are responsible for making your own dining reservations for each night of the cruise, whereas with traditional dining, you’ll eat at the same time each night. You’ll also have the same wait staff. 
Choosing the wrong dining time or preference can be a buzzkill. If, for example, you’re used to eating around 6:00pm each day, you likely will not enjoy having dinner around 8:00pm. Likewise, if you choose My Time Dining but forget to make reservations for your preferred dining time, you might have to wait for an available table. 
Stop by the Main Dining Room to confirm your dining situation on embarkation day. If you choose the traditional seating, you can also look at your assigned table to see if it meets your needs and preferences. 
Suppose you’re sailing on a round-trip cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. In that case, you can technically board with a government-issued photo I.D. and proof of citizenship, such as a driver’s license and birth certificate or certificate of naturalization (if you’re a U.S. citizen). 
However, passports are required for specific sailings, such as voyages from Barcelona or one-way cruises that depart from U.S. ports, including Los Angeles or Tampa. 
As soon as you book your cruise, locate your travel documentation. It’s best to know when your passport expires ahead of time in case you must renew it. Passports must be valid for at least six months after your cruise’s end date! For example, if you’re going on a cruise in May 2025, your passport’s expiration date cannot be before November 2025.
Read more: Can I cruise without a passport?
In mid-2023, Nassau opened the first phase of its port expansion, which increased capacity to 10,000 guests with berths for six ships per day, including three Oasis or Icon Class vessels.
The expansion was a major success, with the popular Bahamas port reporting a record-breaking 5.6 million cruise guests in 2024. Nassau hasn’t finished the project, either. They’re planning on adding a multi-million dollar waterpark inside the secured port. 
It was also a record year for Juneau, Alaska. The state’s capital shared that they welcomed 1.68 million cruise passengers in 2024, up from 1.64 million in 2023. In short, more people are cruising than ever before, and this is evident in port. 
Royal Caribbean implemented various policy charges in 2024, including no longer allowing guests to take unopened beer cans to their staterooms and increasing the daily gratuity amount. 
Looking back at these changes and those that occurred in 2023, additional policies may be added, changed, or removed altogether in 2025. 
Read more: Royal Caribbean changes policy on how it serves beverages
As of November 2024, the gratuity rate for Royal Caribbean cruises is $18.50 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $21.00 per person, per day for suites. 
This means a family of four in a standard stateroom on a 7-night cruise can expect to pay an extra $518 for the week. The same family would pay $588 in gratuities if cruising in a suite. 
You have two options when it comes to paying them. First, you can opt to pre-pay them before your cruise. This can be done when booking or by calling Royal Caribbean/your travel agent after placing your deposit. Alternatively, you can have them charged to your onboard account and settle the balance before disembarkation. 
Icon of the Seas finally entered service in 2024 as the largest cruise ship at sea. For over a decade, the title was held by Oasis Class ships. However, the new class of ship redefined the mega-cruise experience with a recording-breaking water park, brand-new neighborhoods, dining experiences, shows, and more. 
Utopia of the Seas also joined Royal Caribbean’s fleet as the second-largest cruise ship. The new Oasis Class ship is packed with familiar amenities and new experiences, making her a perfect blend of innovation and tradition. 
That being said, bigger isn’t always better. Some cruisers prefer Royal Caribbean’s smaller ships, which can access more unique ports of call and offer a more intimate onboard experience. For example, while brand-new, Utopia of the Seas only sails on 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas. If you’ve already visited Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, you may wish to cruise on an older vessel and visit new destinations. 
Read more: 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise destinations you can visit
You must complete Royal Caribbean’s muster drill on embarkation day even if you’ve sailed with the company before. Passengers who fail to complete the required safety drill will be hunted down by crew members. The drill is mandatory to ensure all sailing guests are familiar with emergency procedures. 
Thankfully, Royal Caribbean has made it easier to complete the muster drill. Instead of sitting through a lengthy in-person drill, passengers watch a few short videos on the mobile app or stateroom television. Then, they visit their assigned muster station. 
Before sailing away, the ship’s Captain and Cruise Director will give a few more announcements over the PA system and sound the emergency alarm. However, nobody is required to report to their muster station at that time. 
Royal Caribbean Group announced a new Status Match Program in 2024 to enhance the experience for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. This program offers a new solution to loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers who were worried about losing valuable perks of the highest Crown & Anchor Society tiers. 
Now, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members can match into the corresponding tier across all three brands. For example, Pinnacle Club members can now hold Zenith status with Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club and vice versa. Similarly, Diamond Plus cruisers can sail as Elite Plus members with Celebrity.
Though the benefits aren’t identical as each line has its own perks, the Status Match Program guarantees that loyal cruisers still receive similar high-level privileges. 
Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean’s new loyalty match program
45 days before your cruise, you can complete the first steps of Royal Caribbean’s check-in process. The online portion requires you to input your travel documentation and credit card information, as well as select an arrival time at the terminal.
We recommend writing the date your check-in opens on your calendar to ensure you can snag the ideal arrival time for your party. The earliest times tend to go quickly, so if you want to be one of the first onboard, you won’t want to forget this important date!
Don’t wait too long to book your airfare unless going on a last-minute cruise. Otherwise, you could pay hundreds of dollars more for the same flight that was cheaper a few months or even weeks prior. 
Start researching flights as soon as you’ve placed your deposit. Securing your ticket early ensures you lock in a better price, as airfares tend to rise as the departure date approaches. 
Plus, if you’re hoping to use airline miles to reduce your out-of-pocket cost, airlines typically limit how many reward seats are available on each flight. 
Whether you want to cruise for as little as possible or have more money allocated for add-ons, nothing feels better than finding a great rate for your cruise fare! 
In the months leading up to your cruise, frequently re-price your sailing. If you notice the price has dropped, contact Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to lock in the lower rate. It can only be done before the final payment date. 
NOTE: this only applies to residents of certain countries, such as the United States and Canada. 
Packing for a cruise is different than packing for a land vacation. Since you won’t be minutes from your local drugstore, you must have all your essentials, from over-the-counter medications to toiletries and sunscreen. However, there are certain items you can’t bring on board. 
For example, irons and steamers are banned from cruise ships because of the fire hazard they pose. They also recently added multi-outlet extenders to its prohibited item list. 
Similarly, Royal Caribbean doesn’t allow marijuana on its fleet even if it’s prescribed for medicinal purposes. You could be kicked off or denied boarding if you bring something illegal onboard. 
Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise
Have you cruised to the Caribbean countless times? Consider embarking on a new itinerary to Alaska, Europe, or the South Pacific! Because of Royal Caribbean’s diverse range of destinations, you can cruise all over the world while receiving the same service and benefits. 
You can also step outside your comfort zone in familiar ports of call. For example, if you’ve called at St. Maarten before but never visited the famous Maho Beach, your upcoming Caribbean cruise could be the perfect opportunity to watch planes soar above your head as they land. 
Or maybe you’d like to try something new onboard, such as an art auction, craft workshop, all-access tour, or fitness class. 
Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas
Don’t wait until you are home to contact Royal Caribbean regarding discrepancies on your onboard statement. Instead, visit Guest Services while on your cruise. 
There are crew members onboard to handle various situations and ensure everything meets your expectations. Do not hesitate to speak out if you think something should be improved, such as the service in the Main Dining Room or the upkeep of your cabin. 
If you keep problems to yourself, you can’t expect them to be resolved during your vacation. 
Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cannot control the weather. Sometimes, the ship’s crew must cancel a port of call to keep everyone onboard safe. Inclement weather could also cause shows to be canceled. 
In other cases, you could find your favorite specialty restaurant or must-do excursion fully booked. Regardless of the issue, it’s important to remain flexible when booking a cruise and make the most of your time onboard. 
For example, if you miss a port because of bad weather, consider splurging on a spa treatment to make the otherwise disappointing day more memorable. 
No matter what is going on when you board the ship, try your best to leave those worries behind. Vacation is your time to relax and recharge. Being present in the moment can help you enjoy all the experiences onboard.
Watch the horizon disappear as you sip on the first cocktail of your cruise. Afterward, venture to the Main Dining Room for a three-course meal knowing you don’t have to clean any dishes afterward! 
Parents also don’t have to worry about entertaining their children. While your kids are having a blast at Adventure Ocean, you can fully immerse yourself into a vacation mindset. 
In addition to Star of the Seas joining the fleet, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will finally open in Nassau. 
This new all-inclusive beach club is not included in the cost of your cruise fare; however, it promises an exclusive retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Nassau. Guests will enjoy private pools, beaches, bars, restaurants, cabanas, and more. 
Allure of the Seas is also set to receive a major renovation. The $100 million-plus Royal Amplification will add new dining venues, activities, and more to the beloved Oasis Class ship. The upgraded vessel will debut in Europe in spring 2025. 
Nobody imagines they will be let down by their cruise ship vacation , but it happens sometimes for possibly avoidable reasons.
Cruises have never been more popular with tens of millions of people trying them out, especially people that have never cruised before.
But if you don’t plan things out or manage your expectations, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment later.
These are the 10 reasons why some cruisers come home disappointed and how you can bypass these issues have a great cruise experience!
Cruise ship cabins aren’t like hotel rooms in the sense they’re not all similar.  In fact, you can make a really poor choice in where your cabin is located, leading to frustration later.
There are many categories of cabins, from spacious suites to tiny inside cabins. In a lot of cases, your vacation budget is the driving factor in which you pick.
But chasing the lowest price room is often a mistake because you end up with a cabin that’s too small and lacks amenities you didn’t realize you cared about, such as having natural light or fresh air.
This is especially true when you cruise with family and are sharing a cabin with more than one other person. Would spending more to have an extra bathroom make a big difference? Would you be okay stepping over everyone’s belongings constantly?
Beyond cabin choice, is where the room is located.
Some rooms should be avoided because of noise bleed issues or because they might be more likely to make you seasick. 
The top downfall here is picking a guarantee cabin, where Royal Caribbean assigns you a room location in exchange for a cheaper price.  I’d recommend as a new cruiser skipping this option and picking the right cabin location that you won’t regret every night.
There’s no doubt the best way to book a Royal Caribbean cruise is with the help of a good travel agent.
A lot of new cruisers are surprised how useful and still relevant travel agents are when it comes to a cruise, but they truly are.  That’s because of how personalized a cruise vacation is, and all the individual decisions you need to make in order to book a cruise.
Plus, travel agents are a tremendously useful resource for answering common questions and solving problems.  Royal Caribbean isn’t perfect and they make mistakes.  It’s much better to let a travel agent fix them for you.
Plus, they can assist with booking you flights, hotels, and other logistical needs associated with your trip.
I always use a travel agent and I recommend everyone use them too.  My favorite travel agency is MEI Travel, and you’ll want to ask family and friends who they use and recommend too.
There isn’t a bad Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but there are definitely better ships for you and your family.
Royal Caribbean has a fleet of almost 30 ships, but picking the right one depends on what you’re looking for and need in your trip.
Do you want a ship that has a lot to do for your kids? Or are you traveling without children and prefer to focus on the places you’re visiting?  Do you want to book the best service possible in the biggest suites? Or are you looking to save money on your accommodations?
One mistake often made is chasing the cheapest price and ending up on a small, old cruise ship that lacks all of the cool features you see advertised.
But you could make the opposite mistake and book the newest cruise ship because it’s the newest cruise ship and find there are far more families (and their kids) onboard.
Royal Caribbean cruises are not all-inclusive, but I think a lot of people that have never cruised before think it is.
The price you pay for your base fare includes some basics:
Everything else will cost extra, and that’s important to factor into your vacation budget.
There are extra costs you can optionally buy:
You’ll want to look into what’s included with your cruise fare, and what amenities are on your ship so you can take advantage of it.
Some things will sell out before your cruise begins, and that could really leave you dismayed.
Royal Caribbean gives cruisers the option to book specialty restaurants, shore excursions, or cabana rentals and you will want to book them in advance.  Not only is it cheaper to book pre-cruise, but they have limited availability.
You’ll have access to the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you book a cruise, and that’s where you can book extras, including internet and drink packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, arcade credits, classes, and more. 
There are sales quite often, and that could mean lower prices.  Moreover, any price you find online will be cheaper than the cost onboard the ship if you wait.
Some of the discounts offered can be as much as 40% off onboard pricing.
You have the choice of three dining options for dinner when you book a cruise: traditional early, traditional late, or My Time Dining (there’s actually a third middle dining time too now).
If you select a traditional dinner time, you’ll have the same table assignment, waiters, and tablemates every day of the cruise at the same time.
My Time Dining means you get to choose different times to eat dinner, but you’ll need to make reservations.  The idea is you can curtail your dinner time to your other plans.
Both have their disadvantages, and that leads to disappointment. 
Having a fixed dinner time means a very rigid schedule each evening, and you may not like your waiters or tablemates.
The flexible dining times puts the onus on you to make reservations, and even with a booked time, there can be lines to get a table.
These dining times only apply to dinner, as other meals are all served first-come, first served.
You can’t sugar coat it: Royal Caribbean ships are giant ships that have thousands of passengers onboard any sailing. 
The biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, can handle as many as 7,600 guests!
Without a doubt, there will be times where there are lines and crowds, and some new cruisers are unprepared for that reality. Lines develop at the buffet, elevators, on disembarkation day, and even a lack of pool chairs on a sea day.
There are some strategies to counter the crowds, depending how flexible you are. You could choose to have dinner at off-peak hours, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go to the pool in the late afternoon or evening, or carry your own luggage off the ship on the final morning to beat the crowds.
You could also throw money at the problem and book a suite so you can have access to suite-only areas of the ship and the assistance of the suite concierge to mitigate waits.
I think the single biggest mistake a new cruiser makes is skipping on travel insurance, which covers unforeseen events such as travel delays, medical emergencies, and luggage mishaps.
It’s peace of mind, and like all types of insurance, is so useful if you ever need it. The cost of a travel insurance plan depends on the cost of your trip, but it’s usually a couple hundred dollars.
For example, if your cruise costs $2,400, purchasing insurance through Royal Caribbean will cost you $199. 
In addition to the travel insurance Royal Caribbean sells, there are a myriad of third-party providers that sell it.  Just like auto or home insurance, there are different coverages and you can select which ones you need.
You never know if a calamity could strike, and your medical insurance probably doesn’t cover you when you’re outside the United States.  Plus, Royal Caribbean’s medical facilities do not take any insurance and will charge you directly.
Besides a medical need, travel insurance kicks in to cover scenarios that most new cruisers never imagine, such as your ship getting stuck at sea and coming back later than scheduled. Or you losing your job right before a vacation and not wanting to travel.
Because a travel insurance plan is relatively inexpensive, you ought to get one to cover your family.  You probably won’t ever need it, but if you do, it’s a godsend.
One of the top reasons someone books a cruise is for the places the ship visits, so don’t leave your port plans to chance.
Trying to wing it, or booking the first tour you can find, is often the path to frustration when you realize you could have done things better.
The key is to take some time and plan out each port by looking into the tours offered, as well as what you can do on your own.
Piggybacking on one of the earlier tips in this article, doing research and finding the perfect tour in advance means you can book it before it sells out. Shore excursions seem to be the first thing to sell out on a cruise, especially when you’re visiting far-flung destinations like Alaska or Europe.
The last thing you want to do is leave everything until the day you arrive in port and try to decide on the pier what your plans should be.
You will probably hear certain words during your cruise that really don’t get used anywhere else.
These are all directional words to help you better navigate the ship. The reason why these words exist is so that you can know your bearings from anywhere, regardless of the direction you happen to be facing.
The bow is the frontmost part of the ship, while the stern is located at the rear, opposite the bow. The terms “forward” and “aft” describe locations on the ship: “forward” refers to the front, and “aft” refers to the back.
Another really important term is “ship time”, because it can mean the difference between being on time for returning to your ship or not while in port.
When your ship traverses time zones, the local time may change but not necessarily the time on your ship.
You’ll hear people say, “stick to ship time”, and that means to ignore local time and keep your phones and watches synched to the ship’s time.
When it comes to cruising, I’m a hard-core budget traveler. The more money I can save, the more often I can travel – and that’s always my goal!
Although traveling has become increasingly more expensive in the last few years, I still find incredible value from cruising. With accommodations, meals, entertainment, and onboard amenities included in your cruise fare, it offers exceptional value for your money. My budget can be stretched further while cruising with so much included in the fare. 
However, there are always opportunities to splurge while cruising. Expensive add-ons and upselling both seem to be more prevalent than ever. Because of this, budget travelers might find constant temptation to splurge on cruise extras, including drink packages, internet purchases, specialty dining, and excursions. 
For me, 2024 was a big year of travel. I sailed on eight different cruises across four continents. These far-flung itineraries required long international flights, during which I flew on nearly 100 separate flight segments in 2024. This amounted to 135,206 miles of flying, with 13 days of the year spent in the air.
I was able to check a few major destinations off my bucket list this year by cruising, including South Africa, Madagascar, Belgium, Indonesia, and Australia. I was able to reach these countries while cruising on four extremely port-intensive itineraries. 
This included two sailings on Norwegian Cruise Line to South Africa and New England. I also cruised twice with Celebrity Cruises to Norway and Australia in 2024. Other sailings included weekend cruises with Carnival Cruise Line.
Between credit card points, cheap interior cabins, and my remote work jobs, I was able to stretch my vacation budget significantly this year. With a few big splurges in 2024, some purchases were absolutely worth the expense, while others felt like a waste of money.
One of my favorite cruises of the year was a 7-night Norway fjord sailing on Celebrity Apex with my husband. We departed from England and visited three ports throughout Norway, including one stop in Belgium.
Although we typically book cheaper cabins like interior guarantee staterooms, we decided to splurge on a more expensive balcony cabin for this cruise. We knew Norway would be incredibly beautiful with stunning views of the fjords throughout the week. Because of this, we wanted to have our own private balcony so we wouldn’t miss any of the sights!
Our deluxe porthole balcony stateroom was pricey at $4,200, which is certainly on the expensive side for a 7-night itinerary. But, the splurge was absolutely worthwhile! With extra space in the cabin and our own veranda, our cabin felt like a slice of luxury.
We also decided to splurge on choosing our specific stateroom instead of booking a balcony guarantee. Although we saved money last year booking this kind of cabin on our Jewel of the Seas cruise with Royal Caribbean, our stateroom was above the nightclub. We couldn’t sleep until midnight each evening because of the loud noise! 
This time, we strategically picked our stateroom because it was nestled among other cabins. This was worth every single penny! 
The highlight of our balcony was sailing through the fjords from the privacy of our veranda. After bringing two bottles of wine onboard for embarkation day, my husband and I enjoyed a relaxing happy hour on our balcony each evening, sipping wine as the ship sailed away from the ports of call. Watching the awe-inspiring fjords drift by made the splurge unforgettable. 
During our cruise through the Norwegian fjords, my husband and I decided to splurge on a couple’s massage. Cruise ship spas are notoriously expensive, so the $400 cost for our spa treatment was not surprising.
Unfortunately, the overall experience fell short of expectations. The massage itself was wonderful, but I expected more for the price. I had high hopes for the Edge class spa, which is often advertised as a top-of-the-line amenity for Celebrity Cruises. As a premium cruise line, the onboard experience is centered around modern relaxation and rejuvenation.
First, the massage room lacked ambiance – it felt very plain and resembled a basic spa in a shopping mall. Some of the aspects of the experience also felt cheap. For instance, the masseuse placed a rolled-up paper towel over our eyes for the facial portion of the massage. For the cost of the spa treatment, I would expect at least a warm towel for my eyes.
In the future, I will probably prioritize thermal spa passes that can be used throughout the duration of the cruise. While cruising in Africa, I spent about $200 on a thermal spa pass to use for the 12-night voyage. This was the first time I splurged on a thermal spa pass – and it was definitely worth it!
This was one of the best splurges I made during that itinerary. I enjoyed the heated loungers with my book every afternoon, often resulting in a nap. This purchase felt far more worthwhile, as I could enjoy the spa amenities every day of the cruise. On the flip side, massages only last about 60 minutes. 
As a frequent cruiser, I hardly ever splurge on a drink package because they’re extraordinarily expensive. Before 2024, I had only purchased Royal Caribbean’s drink package once and struggled to get my money’s worth. Keeping up with the required level of drinking throughout the cruise felt excessive, and I ultimately lost money on the drink package.
Also, with my Royal Caribbean loyalty status, I receive five daily drink vouchers for complimentary beverages priced up to $14 each. This perk is more than sufficient for me, essentially providing the benefits of a drink package without the added cost.
However, one of the cruises I booked this year included a drink package in the cruise fare. I cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line to Africa onboard Norwegian Dawn in January 2024. The cruise line’s “Free at Sea” pricing included a drink package, in which guests only needed to pay for the gratuities on the package. I had never tried this package before, but I thought the price was reasonable. 
For the 12-night cruise, I only paid about $500 in gratuities for Norwegian’s standard drink package. This included most of the drinks that I wanted to order, such as mojitos, martinis, and piña coladas.
Being able to indulge throughout this port-intensive itinerary was worth the splurge. I appreciated not having to worry about paying for every drink consumed, although I do wish specialty coffee was included in Norwegian’s standard drink package. Even still, I easily drank more than $500 worth during the 12-night cruise – and I would splurge on Norwegian’s drink package again.
Specialty dining is typically a splurge I enjoy. When sailing on longer itineraries, a specialty restaurant can provide a change of pace from the main dining room. Specialty restaurants on cruise ships include higher-quality entrees and more attentive service for a reasonable surcharge. However, this wasn’t always the case during my 2024 cruises. 
While cruising in Norway with my husband, he was especially interested in dining at Raw on Five onboard Celebrity Apex. As a sushi-lover, we heard rave reviews about the upscale experience. During our first sea day, we booked Raw on Five for lunch to try this raved-about restaurant.
Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean’s new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars
Unfortunately, Raw on Five did not live up to our expectations. My husband tried two sushi rolls and one plate of oysters for lunch. While the food was edible, the meal was not particularly impressive. Similarly, I tried the pork butt and felt the meat was rubbery and tough. For $60, our money could have been spent elsewhere.
Not all specialty dining was disappointing, though. My husband and I also dined at Rooftop Garden Grill during our cruise and had one of the best meals on any cruise! I also tried Tuscan Grill on Celebrity Solstice, which is one of my new favorite cruise ship restaurants. In fact, the meal was so delightful the first time that we returned for a second visit during our 15-night cruise in Australia.
I’m a destination-focused cruiser, so I usually pick my sailings based on the ports of call. If I am going to spend time and money to travel, I want to make sure I’m visiting destinations that I actually want to see. Because of this, I plan my days ashore meticulously to maximize the time in port.
While excursions through the cruise line can be undeniably expensive, my splurges in 2024 on these tours were absolutely worthwhile. Cruise-sponsored excursions provide added security that your cruise ship will not depart without you. This means unexpected traffic or delays aren’t a cause for concern during your time ashore.
In addition, I’ve discovered that cruise-sponsored almost always receive priority for disembarkation. If you’re docked in a port that requires tendering ashore, cruise-sponsored excursions will be among the first to head ashore. These tours also receive priority for ports of call that require face-to-face immigration.
Throughout 2024, I splurged on excursions offered through the cruise line – even if the cost was significantly more than booking an independent tour. While cruising around South Africa, we booked multiple safaris throughout our itinerary. Most of these safaris were hours away from the ports and required significant travel. Not to mention, we were required to do face-to-face immigration in South Africa.
I felt Norwegian’s excursions would be the safest option for touring, especially while traveling to an unfamiliar part of the world. We also received priority disembarkation in every port, which allowed us more time ashore. Because we were booked on a Norwegian excursion, we also avoided the chaotic immigration line with those going ashore on their own. 
Throughout 2024, I found myself booking more excursions through the cruise line for these reasons. I also booked the Flam Railway during our Norway cruise through Celebrity Cruises. In addition, we visited the Great Barrier Reef while cruising in Australia. Instead of looking to save money with an independent tour, we opted for Celebrity’s snorkeling excursion because we would be traveling far from the anchored ship. 
Disembarkation tours became a new favorite splurge of mine in 2024. These excursions allow guests the opportunity to tour the disembarkation city before heading to the airport or continuing on with their travels. Instead of waiting around at the airport all day, you can utilize your time to explore the surrounding area.
The first disembarkation tour I booked was in Cape Town, South Africa, which was through the cruise line. Because our flight did not depart until 11 in the evening, we had an entire day to tour the city. I was ecstatic to see a tour of the Cape Peninsula to visit Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, which are the southernmost points in Africa. Of course, I couldn’t wait to also see the precious penguins waddling around Boulders Beach!
With just two days to explore Cape Town, I was thrilled with this all-day excursion, as it made the most of our limited time in the city. We were able to venture around the Cape Peninsula all day and still arrive at the airport with plenty of time. In addition, we didn’t need to worry about storing our luggage somewhere in a secure location on the coach bus.
After this positive experience, I decided to utilize the same strategy in Singapore after disembarking from my cruise around Australia. We only had one day to explore Singapore before flying home the following day, so we organized a disembarkation tour through Viator. 
With four people, we had a private van that shuffled us around the city to the main sights. We were able to keep our luggage in the car safely before checking into our hotel later that night. This was the best way to end a fantastic cruise. 
With future cruises, I will continue to book disembarkation tours if the right opportunity presents itself. I’d rather see more of the local sights than wait around all day at the airport!
It looks like it’s actually going to happen this time, and you’ll need to get a driver’s license that is acceptable to cruise with.
The changeover from a traditional driver’s license to a REAL ID has been in the works (and delayed) a few times, but this time it appears the new requirements will go into effect.
Beginning May 7, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security will require every resident of a US state or territory who is 18 years of age and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to go through airport security and board a flight within the United States. 
A passport is, of course, acceptable as well.
REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card.
The reason why this is important is so many Americans fly to get on their cruise ship. 
Your old driver’s license will no longer work on or after May 7th. Only a Real ID (or passport) will get you through the Transportation Security Authority’s security check in order to to fly domestically.
Think of a REAL ID as an enhanced driver’s license, and without one, you won’t be able to get on a plane.
It was passed by Congress as a requirement in 2005 in an effort to standardize identification, such as driver’s licenses.
REAL ID driver’s licenses don’t replace a passport. Rather, they just serve as the new standard for driver’s licenses.
It’s easy to figure out if you already have one. Check your driver’s license or state-issued identification. If it has a gold star in the top right, it’s REAL ID compliant. California and Maine have variations on this, but there’s still a star.
To get an updated form of identification, you’ll need to go to wherever you were issued your driver’s license in the first place.
Depending on your state, there could be special places for applying for a REAL ID, or you may just need to go to your local driver’s license service center or tax collector office.
The exact paperwork needed to apply may vary, but you’ll need proof of identity and status as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number and multiple proofs of your current address.
Originals or hard copies of documentation (birth certificate, Social Security card, US passport) are required, with photocopies and screenshots not accepted. Check your state’s driver’s licensing agency website for more specifics.
You should get a temporary paper ID until the REAL ID arrives in the mail a few weeks later.
The cost should be about the same as renewing your license or non-driving identification card. 
Unless the deadline gets extended again, you won’t be able to fly with just a standard driver’s license as of May 7th because you won’t make it past airport security checkpoints.
Of course, you could still fly with other acceptable forms of identification: 
Since many people that cruise have a passport, you could use your passport to fly domestically instead of getting a REAL ID.
You cannot use just a driver’s license or REAL ID as the sole form of proof of identification in order to cruise.
Royal Caribbean allows Americans who are sailing from the same port their ship departs and returns to to sail without a passport, but you’ll need more than just a REAL ID.
This is referred to as a closed-loop sailing, and nearly all Caribbean cruises departing from mainland U.S. states have cruises that are considered this sort of a sailing.
If you qualify, then you can go on a cruise with just a REAL ID and an original birth certificate.
A cruise ship can take you to amazing places, and a few itineraries are truly remarkable.
Royal Caribbean has the most cruise ships of any single line, and they sail to multiple continents every year. Even the commonly visited ports of call are still noteworthy for being the sort of places people want to visit.
When I speak with frequent cruisers, inevitably one of the common discussion topics are what is your favorite cruise port you’ve visited?
Inevitably the answer tends to be fall into a few popular choices and I think these are the places you’ll definitely want to consider visiting as well.
Royal Caribbean tends to offer the most sailings to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. These are popular places to visit, and each has crown jewels of vacation spots to see.
In addition, there are a handful of ships that visit Australia and the South Pacific, along with Asia.
With so many places to visit, how do you pick the best ones? What are the bucket list worthy places someone should absolutely get to at least once?
Here’s my list of must-sees on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
I know this sounds almost cliched, but Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas is so darn good, it’s what every other cruise line uses as the standard to measure itself against.
Located in the Berry Islands, CocoCay is available exclusively for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers. No other lines can visit there.
It’s the ultimate beach day without any hassle or thought. Royal Caribbean operates it all, and you simply walk off the ship and enjoy it.  An enclosed playground for passengers to do exactly what most people want out of a cruise vacation: a memorable day in a beautiful location.
Royal Caribbean designed CocoCay to deliver the perfect beach day experience.  “Perfect” is subjective, so they offer a lot of choices.  The perfect water park, the perfect beach for partying, the perfect beach for adults, the perfect upscale getaway, etc. 
There’s no worrying about where and when to eat, or where to go because there are multiple choices. 
While you won’t find any true authentic experiences that immerse you in a culture or history, but you will almost certainly have the Caribbean beach day you envisioned.
Everyone told me how amazing Alaska was, but until I experienced it, I could not properly appreciate it.
Royal Caribbean offers seasonal cruises in the summer to Alaska on four ships, operating from Seattle, Vancouver, or Seward, Alaska.
The reason why Alaska is one of the best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise is because of the amazing landscapes you can experience.
Glaciers, local culture, wildlife, and scenery will draw you in, and it seems like every day there’s something else amazing to see.
The top two draws are probably the glaciers and animal viewing, and they do not disappoint in Alaska.
There are glaciers your ship will bring you close to, as well as glaciers you can get right up to with a shore excursion. It’s magnificent to see these giant sheets of ice and rock.
Then there’s the bears, whales, eagles, salmon, and many other animals you can see all around you.  The vast wilderness of Alaska is unparalleled. 
I know it seems almost counterintuitive to go somewhere “cold” for a cruise, but Alaska is worth visiting every single year.
Located on the coast of Queensland, Airlie Beach is a gateway to Australia’s Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.
Cruises tender near the town of Airlie Beach, with a walkable main street and several attractions in the town itself, such as the Airlie Beach Lagoon, white sand beaches, and cafes, shopping, and restaurants.
Most visitors to Airlie Beach will opt for an excursion to discover the area’s natural beauty. Catamaran tours to the Whitsunday Islands, for example, give the opportunity to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe on the archipelago of 74 small islands floating off the coast.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider a flightseeing tour over the Great Barrier Reef, where you can spot the massive reef and nearby Whitsunday Islands from above.
Regardless of what you choose to do in port, Airlie Beach is sure to exceed your expectations for a gorgeous beach day.
When you combine natural beauty and a rich culture, you get the Greek Isles.
Cruise ships are well-suited for visiting the small Greek island that make up the southern part of the country, and it’s where you’ll find white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and iconic cliffside villages with whitewashed buildings.
The best part is not all the islands are the same. There’s the volcanic islands like Santorini, and lush landscapes like Corfu. You can relax on Mykonos’ beaches, or go hiking in Crete.
Of course, Greece is synonymous with history, and there are so many ancient sites to explore Greek mythology. Ancient ruins dot the landscape, and it’s going to draw you in just as much as the stunning landscapes.
If you’re not sold yet on Greece, then you also get a chance to experience the amazing cruising. Fresh seafood, moussaka, baklava, and locally-produced olive oil are all must-eats. You’ll be able to sample authentic Greek wines and enjoy traditional taverna dining.
A cruise makes seeing it all so much easier, because you can visit several islands without the hassle of ferries or constant packing/unpacking.
If the dramatic landscapes are your thing, the fjords of Norway will not disappoint.
Cruises to Norway offer visits to its major cities and natural beauty of its fjords. You’ll find towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery.
The iconic fjords like Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Hardangerfjord, are known for their breathtaking vistas. Cruise ships can provide the perfect vantage point because they will sail deep into fjords that are otherwise inaccessible by land.
Royal Caribbean’s ships sail around Northern Europe during the summer, and it’s the perfect way to see the region.
The history of the Viking people is also waiting for you here, and there’s Viking museums, traditional Norwegian wooden churches, and picturesque fishing villages.
Bergen, Ålesund, and Flam, are all known for their colorful wooden houses, bustling harbors, and friendly locals.
Royal Caribbean has a major presence in Asia, and you’ll find cruises that can take you to China, Japan, and Thailand.
Their ships sail from China and Singapore, but the sailings from Singapore stand out as a fabulous choice for North American cruisers.
There’s a mix of different cruises to offer something for everyone. Short 3- to 4-night shorts visits Malaysia and Thailand, whereas 10-night Southeast Asia cruises go to popular spots in Vietnam and Thailand.
When you think of Thailand, you’ll likely picture crystal clear beaches, green mountains, colorful temples, and spicy street food. Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, offers all of those attractions and more.
In short, you’ll be able to visit the most sought-after destinations across Southeast Asia.
There are around 34 beaches and coves to discover in Bermuda, although the most famous is Horseshoe Bay, known for its clear waters and pink sand. The island also boasts excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities including underwater visits to shipwrecks.
Bermuda has an efficient public transportation system that makes exploring the island a breeze. You’ll enjoy taking a stroll around the colorful, colonial buildings in Bermuda’s capital of Hamilton, visiting Bermuda’s crystal caves, or touring the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Simply put, there’s no shortage of ways to keep busy in Bermuda despite the island’s small size.
You’ll find most Bermuda itineraries departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey or Baltimore, Maryland, making visiting this Atlantic paradise convenient for those living in the northeast.
Booking a cruise is undoubtedly exciting, but the thrill can quickly fade when you start thinking about all the planning involved. Before your vacation can begin, there are some important steps that all cruisers should take.
Although one of the perks of booking a cruise is having minimal logistics, some preparation is usually necessary. Theoretically, you could show up on embarkation day without any prior planning and still have a great time. However, this doesn’t mean you should plan to show up to the cruise terminal without doing some basic planning.
After booking your cruise, you may find the planning process a bit overwhelming. Modern cruise ships rival floating cities, bustling with thousands of other guests and offering endless options for things to do. Between excursion planning, airfare, dining reservations and more, there are many details to iron before setting sail.
After sailing on 50 cruises, I’ve learned that a bit of preparation goes a long way. Here are 20 tried-and-true steps I always take before cruising to ensure my vacation is seamless and stress-free.
If you are planning a cruise, you should absolutely make sure you have the appropriate travel documents. Whether you are planning to cruise using your passport or your birth certificate (which is only allowed for certain sailings departing from the United States), confirming travel documentation is my top priority.
Double-check that your passport is not expiring within the next six months, which is often a requirement to visit other countries. If your passport is expired or expiring soon, you should start the process of applying for a new passport. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months depending on the current backlog. 
Finally, confirm whether any visas are needed for your itinerary. For instance, my recent cruise from Sydney to Bali and Singapore required a tourist visa to visit Indonesia. If you’re sailing on a more exotic itinerary, this is especially important.
Some cruisers are lucky enough to live within driving distance of a cruise port; however, it’s not uncommon for vacationers to fly to their cruise embarkation port. However, you should always fly into your cruise port at least one day before departure to ensure you don’t encounter any delays or cancellations.
Most of my itineraries require airfare, so I usually look my flights shortly after reserving my cruise. I prefer to book further in advance to have the most options that align with my travel needs and the cruise schedule. 
As a destination-focused traveler, I extensively research every port of call on a cruise itinerary. I want to ensure my time in each port is maximized to the fullest, especially when I am on a tight schedule. For each port of call, I always spend time researching the top things to do in each destination to make sure I can see and do everything I want. 
For instance, some cruise ships will dock far from a city center, such as Le Havre, France or Civitavecchia, Italy. Le Havre is a port city that is advertised as the gateway to Paris while Civitavecchia is the closest port city to Rome, Italy. 
Without researching these ports of call, you might assume touring the famous cities of Rome and Paris are convenient and easy. However, Paris is more than two hours from Le Havre and Civitavecchia is one hour from the city of Rome.
For any cruise, it’s important to look at the excursions offered by the cruise line. First, this can give you a good gauge on the top things to do in each port of call. Personally, I like to read the tour descriptions to see what each port has to offer, including which activities or attractions are feasible to visit from the port.
Second, I prefer to book excursions through the cruise line for certain destinations or itineraries. Cruise-sponsored excursions are convenient and provide a guaranteed return to the ship. Because of this, shore excursions through the cruise line can be very popular and sell out quickly.
It’s best to book your excursions as soon as possible, especially considering you can cancel your tour if you change your mind. The added flexibility and convenience of cruise line excursions is often worthwhile, in my opinion.
In addition to excursions, it’s important to budget for other add-ons needed for your cruise. This could include drink packages, internet access, specialty dining reservations, spa treatments and other onboard experiences.
It’s usually best to prebook your add-ons before setting sail, as cruise lines offer pre-sailing discounts. Once onboard, you will often find higher prices for these add-ons (especially drink packages!).
Because I usually need to fly to my embarkation port, I also need to book a hotel for the night before. Following the golden-rule of cruise travel, I always book a flight that arrives at least one night before my cruise embarks. If I am wanting to explore the embarkation port for longer, I will fly to the city a couple days in advance.
In this way, booking a pre-cruise hotel is one of my must-do items. You can book a hotel months in advance, and I prefer to secure my reservation using credit card points. The further in advance you can book a hotel, the more options you have for utilizing these redemptions.
After arriving to the embarkation city, you will also need to consider transportation to the cruise terminal. Sometimes this is easy and convenient, while other times require planning and research. If you are driving yourself to the cruise terminal, make sure you know where to park and how much you can expect to spend.
If you need to travel further, consider prearranging your transportation. This has proven useful in many occasions, especially for terminals located far from the city. Take into account how much luggage you’ll be traveling with as well.
For example, I’ve cruised from Southampton, England many different times for cruises. I always spend time in London before embarkation, which is about 80 miles from the Southampton cruise terminal. There are a few options for transportation, but I always book the direct train from London to Southampton beforehand.
Although this has become less common with increased prices and demand for cruising, I continue to monitor my booked cruises for better deals. If I find a cheaper cruise fare for my itinerary before final payment, I simply contact my travel agent and ask for a reprice. This has saved me thousands of dollars over the years!
If the final payment deadline has passed, you might be able to upgrade your cabin to a higher category. Even if I am unable to reprice my reservation, I’ve been able to upgrade my interior cabin to a balcony or suite when prices decreased closer to the sail date.
It might seem obvious, but make sure you check-in for your cruise before heading to the terminal! Last year, I forgot to check-in for my cruise onboard Grandeur of the Seas before embarkation day. Although I was able to complete my check-in at the cruise terminal, this was a huge headache. 
I had to spend extra time confirming my documentation at the terminal, which delayed the start to my vacation! In addition, I had to confirm with guest services that my payment account was up-to-date onboard. Now, I always check-in for my cruise after receiving the reminder email from Royal Caribbean. This ensures I can choose the best arrival time for my schedule. I also find I am less likely to forget checking in for my cruise if I do this right after being reminded.
Depending on your cruise itinerary, you might have health requirements that need to be met before embarkation. While most cruises in Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska do not typically have health requirements to consider, other destinations around the world do.
For example, you might need a Yellow Fever vaccine to visit certain countries around Africa or South America. Malaria medication might be recommended for cruises around Asia as well. Confirm you have proper documentation for any medication based on entry requirements for your itinerary as well. It’s best to check with your doctor about health requirements before your cruise begins, even if this simply entails routine vaccination.
Speaking of health requirements, another thing I religiously do before cruising is replenish my travel pharmacy. Because onboard medication is expensive while cruising, it’s best to bring some over-the-counter medication onboard with you in case you need it. No one wants to think about getting sick on vacation, but even minor ailments can be a nuisance while cruising. 
For my travel pharmacy, I ensure I have everything from pain relief, antihistamines, seasickness medication and basic first aid necessities. I will pack a few extra doses for longer itineraries to make sure I don’t run low on any medication. It’s always best to be prepared for the worst case scenario, even if you don’t thing you will need it.
One must-do item that I tend to forget is printing baggage tags. Cruise lines will provide downloadable tags for you to print before arriving at the embarkation port. These are attached to your suitcases before handing your luggage to the cruise ship porters at the terminal.
The baggage tags are available either through the cruise planner or app. You print the tags and attach them to your suitcase using either tape, staples or a luggage tag holder. I prefer to use a luggage tag holder to keep my printed tags secure, minimizing the chance of the tag falling off.
Cruise ships are essentially cashless for purchases, but I always make sure I pack some cash before setting sail. This also includes smaller $1 bills for tips, which I often provide to the bar tenders throughout the cruise. In addition, I prefer giving cash tips to my cabin stewards and dining room waiters on the final day of the cruise.
Moreover, cash is sometimes needed throughout your sailing in different ports of call. Although credit cards are widely accepted, you shouldn’t be cashless while traveling. Having some cash on hand can be necessary for transportation or souvenir purchases.
The cruising experience on Royal Caribbean is almost entirely digitalized now in the post-pandemic era. Everything from the muster drill to daily schedules can be found on the app while cruising. Royal Caribbean’s app is very handy for not only the onboard experience, but also before you set sail. While some cruise lines only have apps that are usable onboard, Royal Caribbean’s app is a good resource for your cruise planning as well. 
You can see the deck plans, dining reservations, excursions and more when using Royal Caribbean’s app. Therefore, I highly recommend adding the app to your phone before cruising. Royal Caribbean’s app is available to download in the iTunes Store for Apple products or in the Google Play store for Android devices.
When sailing on larger cruise vessels, such as Oasis or Quantum class ships, I always make sure I reserve specialty dining before embarkation. With so many people sailing onboard these bigger ships, specialty dining reservations can be hard to come by after boarding. These restaurants fill up quickly, so I want to make sure I can secure a booking that works for my schedule.
Also, it’s easy to change reservations once you’re onboard your cruise if you need to. I’ve had to adjust specialty dining bookings after embarkation, and it’s never been an issue. Although you might not have many options for time slots, you do have flexibility onboard.
After taking 50 cruises, I consider myself an expert cruise packer. I have my go-to cruise outfits and essentials, including cabin must-haves. Even still, I prefer to make a list of everything that I want to remember to pack for my cruise. This is especially important if I am sailing on a port-intensive itinerary or a longer cruise to a new destination.
In the notes app on my phone, I create a simple packing list of the essentials that I cannot forget to pack for my cruise. Everything from electronics to chargers and passports are typically on my packing list. 
In the same manner, I also religiously check the weather before packing anything for my cruise. Although the Caribbean and Mediterranean are typically sunny and warm, other destinations around the world are less predictable.
For example, Alaska cruising can bring blistering cold weather or clear sunshine on a beautiful day. I don’t want to pack the wrong attire for the climate, so monitoring the weather gives me a good idea of what to pack. Packing appropriately is essential for a smooth cruising experience – and preparing for a variety of weather changes can ensure you are prepared for anything.
I’ve visited many popular cruising destinations over the years, including Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska and Canada. However, if I am sailing to a new destination, I find YouTube to be an excellent resource for planning.
YouTube is full of useful, first-hand experiences for cruisers. This is especially true for more unique destinations, such as my upcoming cruise to India and Sri Lanka next year. Many different creators and local experts share practical tips for travelers and cruisers on YouTube. I find these videos help me set my expectations appropriate for my upcoming cruise, allowing me to plan more efficiently.
Most itineraries have a dedicated group on Facebook to join. By searching your cruise ship and specific sail date, you can request to join these groups before cruising. These groups are very resourceful and allow cruisers to connect before setting sail.
The Facebook groups provides a place for cruisers to share tips and updates, along with asking questions about your specific sailing. Some cruisers will even plan meetups for their upcoming cruise!
Last-minute packing can be very overwhelming for some people. I prefer to pack the weekend before my cruise to be certain that I have enough time to pack everything I need. I do not want to be rushed while packing, as this often leads to forgotten items and unnecessary stress.
Generally speaking, packing usually takes me longer than I anticipate. For longer itineraries with varying climate, such as my 12-night cruise to Iceland last summer, I easily spend four to five hours packing. Waiting until the last minute or running out of time only leads to more stress right before your vacation.
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