What I wish I knew before going on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

7 things we wish we knew before cruising first-time with Royal Caribbean
  • Bring Your Own Alcohol. ...
  • Plan your cruise before you sail. ...
  • The extra on-board charges. ...
  • The wide choice of dining available. ...
  • Cruising is addictive - your first time won't be your last. ...
  • Book as early as possible. ...
  • The dress code is not super strict.




People Also Ask

Rain is more frequent in the wet season, but the temperatures are warmer. Wet season and dry season are both good times to cruise the Caribbean. The worst time for a Caribbean cruise weather-wise is August to September, as it is peak hurricane season.

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Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.

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So which food is included and which cost extra? While not all the food on Royal Caribbean is included, there is enough food and drink for you to enjoy that is included so you will not need to pay extra for food. However, you may feel inclined to pay for drinks or meals anyway as a way to enhance your cruise.

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The Unlimited Dining Package allows guests to enjoy multiple specialty restaurants* every nights of their sailing for one low price. Guests will also be able to enjoy lunch at specialty dining restaurants on sea days.

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Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.

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Winner: Royal Caribbean Both cruise lines offer plenty to do after the sun sets — from live entertainment and karaoke to dance clubs and comedy hours. But Royal Caribbean has a greater number of head-turning evening activities to please night owls.

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On average, the annual household income earned by cruisers was $114,000. The vast majority of cruise travelers were employed (72 percent) and 21 percent enjoyed their cruise vacation during retirement.

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What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March. However, the optimal time to book may depend on when you plan to sail.

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The cheapest months to cruise to the Caribbean are May, September and October. The peak season for the Caribbean is December to April when it is driest – cheaper months tend to experience more rainfall and the risk of hurricanes causing changes to itineraries.

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If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

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Royal Caribbean International no longer offers the traditional midnight buffet where guests parade through the dining room, take pictures, then eat, on a regular fleet-wide basis.

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In the dining rooms, items such as shorts, pool wear and baseball caps are not permitted; shoes must be worn at all times. Jeans are permitted as long as they aren't fraying and don't have holes.

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Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.

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For breakfast, the main dining room typically opens between 7 AM and 8 AM and stays open for about 90 minutes. So, it typically closes between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM. CRUISE DEALS: BOOK NOW AND SAVE ON YOUR NEXT ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE!

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Just like some land-based hotels, guests can expect to see an initial $99.75 pending charge or authorization on their credit card. This pending amount is used to secure funds for anticipated onboard purchases. Purchases made onboard over the initial $99.75 will generate additional holds.

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Your auto-gratuities will cover all waitstaff in the main dining room, buffet restaurants and specialty dining venues alike. If you dine at the same table and enjoy regular service from one or two particularly excellent waiters, consider leaving an additional $10 to $20 at the cruise's end.

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