Cruises are a great way to vacation. Board the ship, unpack and sail off to new destinations without the headache of changing hotels. If you’re a first-time cruiser or have never sailed with Royal Caribbean, there are countless little known Royal Caribbean cruise line secrets to help you make the most out of your next cruise.
Before we dive into the secrets of cruising, it’s important to pick the right destination & ship. Everyone’s tastes and every family has different needs. Before booking your cruise, choose the best destination and ship for your family. Are you looking to hit the beach on a Caribbean island? See the glaciers in Alaska? What places are you most interested in seeing and plan your trip accordingly.
Also, determine the amenities you want on the ship. Would the kids love the chance to ice skate? Do you prefer a smaller or larger vessel? Each cruise ship class is different, so take a look at what is offered before you book.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Secrets:
1. Complete online check-in
Check-in online for your cruise before you sail. Check-in will open about 45 days before your sailing. You can check-in online or via the app. Royal Caribbean requires you to check-in no later than 3 days prior to sailing. This helps keep the line moving on embarkation day. Don’t forget to complete the health status form before sailing. It will become available the day prior to your cruise. If you don’t check-in online or complete the health status form, you’ll be required to do so at the port.
2. Purchase shore excursions in advance
You can purchase shore excursions online prior to your cruise. Popular excursions sell out early and you don’t want to be disappointed! If you didn’t book your spot, a limited amount of excursions are still reserved for on board booking so schedule those as soon as you board the ship. You can also schedule excursions through third parties such as Viator. Just ensure you leave yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship. The ship doesn’t wait for you if you’re not on a ship sponsored excursion.
See my 5 tips for selecting shore excursions for help determining which excursions are right for you.
3. Reserve specialty dining in advance
Reserve your table at one of the many specialty restaurants before you sail. Purchase dining package in advance to save big. Please note these offers can vary by cruise length and ship and you CAN’T make reservations in advance if you have a dining package. Once onboard, you’ll be able to make reservations if you purchased a dining package.
Kids 5 and under eat free under the special kids menu at specialty restaurants. Kids 12 and under can dine at the specialty restaurants for just $12.99 and order off a children’s menu. You can also add kids 12 and under to your dining package and the cost per child is reduced to $10.99. The special kids price will be adjusted and shown on your final bill.
You can also see the main dining room menu’s for the week in the app, then pick your day to dine in a specialty restaurant accordingly. The menu’s are subject to change but should be 95% accurate.
Don’t pay full price for your package or single dining reservation. Watch for sales on packages. You’ll likely find an offer about 2-3 months before sailing, but the best sales can vary so check back frequently, if not daily, as your cruise gets closer. You can cancel and rebook for a cheaper rate.
Specialty Restaurant Cancellations can be made in Cruise Planner at least 4 days prior to boarding will be refunded in full to the credit card used for payment. Within 4 days of boarding, cancellations must be made on board after departure and will be credited to your shipboard account. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged a minimum of $10 USD.
