Royal Caribbean is the world’s biggest cruise line for good reason. Imagine zip lines over a park full of trees, surf simulators, Broadway-style shows, and a private island with water so clear it looks unreal. What most guides miss is that two people can book the same cruise and end up with totally different experiences. It all depends on a few choices you make before you put down a deposit.
I’ll help you figure out those choices. We’ll look at which ship to pick, what’s actually included, where you might find hidden costs, and what’s new this fall. If you’ve cruised before, I’ll also explain the updates to loyalty status that came in 2026.
This guide was updated on October 30, 2026. Since prices and policies can change, be sure to check your specific sailing in the Royal Caribbean app.
Royal Caribbean at a Glance
Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line full of activities. It’s designed for families, groups, and anyone who wants the ship itself to be the main attraction.
- Fleet: 30 ships in seven classes
- Your fare covers your room, daily housekeeping, meals in the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer buffet, and most shows.
- You’ll pay extra for alcohol, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, spa treatments, and gratuities.
- Loyalty program: Crown & Anchor Society
- Private destinations: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
What’s New With Royal Caribbean (Late 2026)
If you haven’t cruised in a few years, there have been plenty of changes. Here’s what’s new!
Legend of the Seas Lands in Florida
Legend, the third Icon Class ship, began its first voyage on July 4 in Europe. It will arrive in Fort Lauderdale on November 7, becoming the largest ship ever based at that port.
- First US sailing: a three-night Bahamas getaway on November 8
- After that: six- and eight-night trips, including Aruba and Curaçao
- Heads back to Europe in May 2027
If you want to try the newest ship but can’t take a whole week off, the three-night cruise is a great option.
Hero of the Seas Is Next
Hero will launch from Miami in August 2027. The ship features nine pools, 28 dining options, and the first funnel raft slide at sea. Royal Caribbean also has Icon ships 5, 6, and 7 planned for 2028 to 2030.
Beach Clubs: One Open, One in Question
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau opened to guests on December 23, 2025. Cozumel’s beach club is still uncertain. Right now, Mexico’s protected-areas agency says the project can’t move forward due to environmental concerns. I recommend waiting to book a cruise for Cozumel’s beach club until it officially opens.
Europe Goes Year-Round
Beginning in November 2028, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail in Europe throughout the winter. Destinations include the Canary Islands, Morocco, Malta, and Greece.
That 20% Tipping Rumor: False
In October, a mistake in the FAQ made it seem like drink tips had increased to 20%. Royal Caribbean confirmed that tips are still 18%.
Weather Is Real
This month, storms caused Oasis of the Seas to visit Halifax and Independence of the Seas to go to Saint John, New Brunswick, instead of their original ports. Remember, port stops can change. Hurricane season lasts through November.
Which Royal Caribbean Ship Is Right for You?
Each ship class has its own unique feel. Let’s go over each one to help you find which one would be best for you trip!
Icon Class: The “WOW” Ships
Icon, Star, and Legend each hold 5,610 guests at double occupancy. They offer the Category 6 waterpark, the glass-domed AquaDome, and eight neighborhoods. These ships are great if your kids want to spend the whole week onboard. Keep in mind, though, that they can be crowded and cost more.
Oasis Class: The Sweet Spot
This class includes Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia. These ships feature Central Park, the Boardwalk, and the high-diving AquaTheater. They usually offer better value than Icon, and Utopia is designed for short weekend trips.
Quantum Class: Big Fun for Cooler Places
These ships offer the North Star viewing pod, bumper cars, and an indoor skydiving simulator. They sail in places like Alaska, Asia, and Australia.
Freedom and Voyager Classes: Best for Value
You still get the FlowRider surf simulator, an ice rink, and the Royal Promenade, often at a lower price. Look for ships that have been renovated, sometimes called “amplified.” Liberty of the Seas recently added an escape room and a bigger casino, and it’s going to Galveston.
Radiance and Vision Classes: Itinerary First
These ships are smaller, have lots of windows, and are less crowded. They’re a good choice if you care more about the ports than onboard attractions.
For example, I usually recommend Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral for a family of five with teens. For a retired couple going to Alaska, I’d suggest a Radiance ship with a balcony.
Is Royal Caribbean All-Inclusive?
No, and this is where most unexpected costs come in.
Included:
- Main Dining Room, Windjammer, and casual spots
- Tap water, basic coffee, tea, lemonade, and juice
- Main shows, pools, kids’ clubs, rock climbing, and the FlowRider
- Perfect Day at CocoCay basics
Extra:
- Alcohol, soda, specialty coffee, and bottled water
- Specialty restaurants and room service (both carry an 18% charge)
- Internet
- Excursions, spa, and the Royal Beach Club
Royal Caribbean Gratuities, Explained Simply
If you don’t prepay, gratuities are charged to your SeaPass account each day. Your SeaPass is your room key and onboard charge card.
- $18.50 per person, per day in regular cabins, junior suites included
- $21 per person, per day in suites
- 18% on drinks, packages, specialty dining, room service, and the minibar
- 20% on spa and salon services
For example, a family of four on a seven-night cruise will pay $518 in tips before buying any drinks. It’s smart to plan for this cost from the start.
Is the Royal Caribbean Drink Package Worth It?
Deluxe Beverage Package prices are usually between $65 and $120 per person, per day, depending on your ship and sail date. An extra 18% is added to the price.
Here’s the catch: if one adult in your cabin buys the Deluxe package, every adult in the cabin must buy it too. The drinking age is 21 on North American sailings and 18 in Europe.
The package is likely worth it if you:
- Have specialty coffee every morning
- Like two or three poolside drinks on sea days
- Enjoy wine with dinner
You may want to skip the package if you spend most days ashore or usually have only one drink in the evening.
Prices can change before your cruise. Buy the package when you see a lower price, and keep checking for more deals even after you buy. Check out our full Royal Caribbean Drink Guide for all the details and how to save!
Check-In and Embarkation Day Hacks
You can check in on the app starting 45 days before your cruise. Set an alarm for midnight in your departure port’s time zone, since that’s when the earliest boarding times become available.
On boarding day:
1. Plan to arrive the day before your cruise. Flying in on the same day can lead to problems if there are delays.
2. Give your large bags to the porters at the terminal. They will deliver them to your cabin later.
3. Bring a small bag with essentials like your swimsuit, sunscreen, any medications, and chargers.
4. Try the FlowRider or climbing wall on your first afternoon, since lines are usually shortest then.
5. Finish the safety drill on the app, and then go up to enjoy sail-away.
Can you bring your own drinks? Yes, within limits:
- Each adult can bring one sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne, but only on boarding day.
- You can also bring up to 12 nonalcoholic drinks per cabin, with each drink no larger than 17 ounces.
- If you want to open your wine in a dining room, there’s a $15 corkage fee.
Do You Need a Passport for Royal Caribbean?
You don’t always need a passport, but I recommend bringing one. For closed-loop cruises, which start and end at the same US port, US citizens can use an original birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.
You’ll need a passport for one-way cruises and for stops in Panama, Colombia, or Martinique. Royal Caribbean also requires your passport to be valid for six months after your return.
I always bring my passport because if you miss the ship in port or have a medical emergency, it’s very difficult to fly home without one.
Wi-Fi and the App
Many people overlook this easy way to save money. You can use the app onboard without buying an internet package—just connect to the ship’s guest Wi-Fi. You can also chat with your group in the app for free! If you want full internet access, that’s a paid extra.
How Much Is Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi?
Royal Caribbean calls its internet VOOM, and it uses Starlink satellites. Prices range from about $16.99 to $30.99 per device each day. The exact cost depends on your ship, travel dates, and when you purchase.
Here’s how those prices work out in practice:
- If you buy before your cruise, a seven-night trip might cost $20.99 per day for one device, which adds up to $146.93 for the week.
- If you wait to buy onboard, like on Star of the Seas, the same one-device plan is $32.99 per day, or $230.93 for seven nights.
- A 24-hour pass costs about $35. This is the most expensive option, but it’s useful if you only need internet for one workday.
- VOOM is free for guests staying in Royal Suite Class suites. Top Crown & Anchor members also receive some free internet time.
Waiting to buy onboard can cost you almost $85 more per device on a week-long cruise.
Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi Tips That Save Money
- Prepay for your plan, but keep an eye on the app. Prices can change. If you see a lower rate before you sail, you can usually cancel and rebook at the new price.
- Consider sharing a plan. In the seven-night example, two separate plans cost $293.86, but a two-device plan was $223.93. For a family of four, a four-device plan was $405.93 instead of $587.72.
- You can use a one-device plan on your phone, tablet, or laptop, just not all at once. Log off on one device at logoff.com before logging in on another.
- If you’re Diamond Plus, compare your options. On short cruises, using your loyalty perks onboard might be cheaper than prepaying. For a full week, prepaying is usually better.
- Your plan also works at CocoCay, so you don’t need to buy extra Wi-Fi on the island.
Avoid Surprise Charges and Slow Speeds
- Turn on airplane mode and then turn Wi-Fi back on. If your phone connects to the ship’s cell signal, you could get hit with roaming charges.
- Set up Wi-Fi Calling before you leave home. Once you’re on Wi-Fi at sea, you can text and call home without extra cell charges.
- Download your shows, playlists, and offline maps before you leave, while you still have fast home internet.
- Turn off automatic updates, since background updates can use up the speed you’re paying for.
- Expect speeds similar to a hotel, not your home. You’ll usually get about 15 to 60 Mbps, which is fine for video calls. Bad weather or busy times can slow things down.
- If you’re working remotely, bring a backup VPN. Some types don’t work on the ship’s network.
For example, a couple on a seven-night Oasis-class cruise mainly wants to text their kids and share a few beach photos. If they share a two-device plan bought before the trip, it costs about $224 for both. If they each buy their own plan onboard, it’s about $460.
Prices change depending on your ship and sailing. Check the Royal Caribbean app to see your exact cost.
Perfect Day at CocoCay vs. Royal Beach Club
CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. Your visit includes access to beaches, lagoons, and basic food, with extra options like the waterpark available for an additional fee.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is located in Nassau and always requires a day pass. When it opened, the open-bar pass started at $169.99, while the non-alcoholic pass was $129.99 for guests aged 13 and up. The pass includes food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and transfers. It’s a good choice if you want to avoid the busy downtown area in Nassau.
For Returning Cruisers: Loyalty Moves That Matter
Crown & Anchor Tiers
You get one point for each night you sail, or two points per night if you stay in a suite. Here’s when each status level begins:
- Gold: 3 points
- Platinum: 30
- Emerald: 55
- Diamond: 80
- Diamond Plus: 175
- Pinnacle Club: 700
Points Choice (new in 2026)
Starting with cruises on January 30, 2026 and later, you can transfer your points to Crown & Anchor, Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, or Silversea’s Venetian Society. You have up to 14 days after your cruise to make your choice.
Status Match
Your tier matches directly across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea, but not with other cruise lines. It may take up to seven days for your matched status to show up.
If you’re almost at Diamond status and want to try Celebrity, Points Choice lets you try it out without losing your progress.
Money-Saving Tips That Actually Work
- After you book, keep an eye on prices. If your fare goes down, ask for the difference as onboard credit.
- Look at the daily planner. If you plan ahead, you can fill your day with free activities.
- Consider using a travel agent. They usually don’t charge you, and they can spot price drops for you.
- Choose a port you can drive to. Places like Galveston, Port Canaveral, or Cape Liberty can save you more than a cheap cruise fare with expensive flights.
- Avoid paying twice for things. Check what your suite or loyalty perks already include.
Common Royal Caribbean Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking a cabin right below the pool deck or a nightclub
- Thinking that sister ships are exactly the same
- Not including tips in your budget
- Buying extras just because they were “on sale,” even if you won’t use them
- Packing a surge-protected power strip. These get taken away at boarding.
Royal Caribbean FAQ
Your Royal Caribbean Game Plan
Royal Caribbean is at its best when you plan your trip thoughtfully. Pick a ship that matches your style, set a realistic budget for tips and drinks, check in right at midnight on day 45, and make sure to leave space for unexpected moments. You might catch a sunset from the top deck, win a trivia game you didn’t expect, or just enjoy the fresh salt air through your balcony door.
There are new ships on the way, cruises in Europe are now available all year, and loyalty perks now work across different brands. It’s a great time to book a trip. Go ahead and find your cruise—your first morning at sea is just around the corner!
