Royal Caribbean Tips for First-Timers: What to Know Before You Go
I spent years cruising Princess and Celebrity before I finally sailed Royal Caribbean. My first sailing was a 4-day trip on Quantum of the Seas out of Los Angeles, and I came home with a short list of things I wish someone had told me before I stepped on board.
None of these tips are dramatic. They're the small, practical details that make the week smoother: when to decide on packages, how disembarkation can work, where to get free drinks, and why I changed my mind about a $10 gadget.
One caution up front: this is one sailing on one ship. Royal Caribbean runs a lot of ships out of a lot of ports, and details can differ, so double-check anything that matters against your own sailing. If you're planning your first Royal Caribbean cruise, here's what I'd want you to know.
Key Takeaways
Decide on packages early. Discounts shrink as your sail date gets closer.
A drink package makes sense if you'll have several non-basic drinks a day. The dining package is take-it-or-leave-it, and it works differently than on other lines.
On my Quantum sailing out of LA, I could carry my own bags off and leave whenever I wanted once the ship was docked and customs had cleared. This may not hold on every ship or port.
Water, lemonade, drip coffee and tea are free at self-serve stations. Bring a refillable bottle (empty it before security).
You don't get your room key at boarding. Use your boarding pass until the cabin is ready.
Towel clips are worth the few dollars.
Watch your app and onboard charges. Gratuities are added automatically unless you opt out.
Tip 1: Decide on Packages Early (and Know What's Already Free)
Before you buy anything, know what's included in your fare. On my sailing, drip coffee, water, lemonade and tea were free. Alcohol, specialty coffee, energy drinks and sodas were not part of the base fare.
If you think you'll want a package, decide early. When I first booked, discounts were around 40%, and by the time I committed they had dropped by roughly half. Waiting cost me real money.
The dining package also works differently than what I was used to on other lines. Some items are still à la carte, some restaurants give you a voucher (about $20 in my case) toward your meal, and the package is priced per day for the whole cruise. I ended up paying à la carte instead, and I was glad I did.
For the full breakdown of what I'd do differently, read my post on the Royal Caribbean mistakes I made.
Tip 2: Check Whether You Can Carry Off Your Own Bags
This one surprised me. On most cruises, disembarkation goes like this: you put your bags out the night before, vacate your cabin around 7:30 or 8:00, wait for your baggage tag number to be called, and your onboard account is closed.
On my Quantum sailing out of Los Angeles, if you carried your own bags, you could leave whenever you wanted once the ship was docked and customs had cleared. No waiting for a tag number.
If you want to get off early, pack so you can handle your own bags. Just remember that this was my experience on this ship at this port. It may not apply to every ship or every port, so confirm your own disembarkation details before you pack.
Tip 3: Use the Free Beverage Stations
You don't need a package to stay hydrated. Around the buffet and other food areas, I found self-serve stations with water, lemonade, coffee and tea.
Bring a refillable water bottle. Just empty it before you go through security when you board, then fill it up once you're on the ship.
Tip 4: Don't Expect a Room Key at Boarding
Your key isn't handed to you when you walk on. If your cabin isn't ready yet, use your boarding pass to get around the ship. When the cabin is ready, the key was waiting for us outside the door.
Also, show your key whenever you place a specialty order. It's what ties the charge to your account.
Tip 5: Bring Towel Clips (I Was Wrong About These)
I was skeptical. I figured towel clips were one of those gimmicky cruise gadgets. I was wrong.
Between wind at the outdoor pools and towels slipping at the indoor pool, they earned their spot in my bag. They also help you mark your chair, and they can secure items on a balcony. I think they run under about $10 on Amazon.
Towel clips I'd buy (affiliate link)
Tip 6: Keep an Eye on the App and Your Room Charges
Royal Caribbean's app is useful, but mine did a couple of odd things. It showed a Jamie's Italian lunch reservation I never made (we'd eaten there the night before, and I'm still not sure why it appeared). It also listed a disembarkation time that didn't apply to me. Nothing was charged for the phantom reservation, but it's a reminder to double-check what the app tells you.
Charges to watch for:
Drink package cap: I believe the per-drink limit was about $15, and cocktails above that cost extra.
Arcade and games: The arcade, air hockey and skee ball cost extra.
Dining surcharges: Some specialty restaurants still add a charge even with a dining package.
Wine bottles: Bottles of wine weren't included in my drink package.
Check your account every day or two so nothing surprises you on the last night.
Tip 7: Know How Gratuities Work
Gratuities are added automatically unless you opt out. I believe you can opt out, but confirm how before your sailing. If you do, plan to tip your stateroom steward and other crew another way.
I brought cash to tip directly and didn't buy the gratuity package. On the second-to-last day, I noticed the charges had been added to my account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get off a Royal Caribbean ship early?
On my 4-day Quantum of the Seas sailing out of Los Angeles, I could. If you carried your own bags, you could leave whenever you wanted once the ship was docked and customs had cleared, instead of waiting for a baggage tag number. I can only speak to that ship and port, so check your own sailing's disembarkation instructions before you pack.
Is the Royal Caribbean drink package worth it?
It depends on how many drinks you'll realistically order each day. Basic drinks like water, lemonade, drip coffee and tea were already free on my sailing, so a package only pays off if you'll have several specialty drinks, cocktails or sodas daily. Drinks above the per-drink cap, which I believe was about $15, cost extra, and wine bottles weren't included. Buy early if you decide to, because discounts shrink as sailing gets closer.
Can you bring a water bottle on Royal Caribbean?
Yes. I recommend bringing a refillable bottle and emptying it before you go through security at boarding. Once you're on the ship, you can fill it at the self-serve beverage stations near the buffet and food areas, where I found free water, lemonade, coffee and tea. You don't need a drink package for these.
How do room keys work on Royal Caribbean?
You don't get your room key when you board. Until your cabin is ready, use your boarding pass. When it's ready, your key will be waiting outside your cabin door. Keep it with you, since you'll need to show it when you place orders at specialty venues.
Are towel clips worth bringing on a cruise?
I think so. I was skeptical, but between wind at the outdoor pools and towels slipping at the indoor pool, they came in handy. They also mark your chair and can secure items on a balcony. I think they cost under $10 on Amazon, so it's a low-risk addition to your packing list.
Ready to Plan Your First Royal Caribbean Cruise?
If you want help getting the details right, I have two ways to help:
Download my free cruise planning workbook: Get the workbook
Work with me: If you haven't booked yet and want help from a professional travel advisor, start here.
Watch the Video
Prefer the shorter version of what I'd do differently? Read Royal Caribbean Mistakes: What I'd Do Differently.
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