Sunday, March 31, 2024

11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

royal caribbean cruise cost

Add those in, and Royal Caribbean operates 14 of the world's 35 biggest cruise ships. I would love to hear your thoughts about a Royal Caribbean beverage package, and how it works (or does not work) for you, in the comments! What we often hear from other cruisers is over the course of longer cruises (7-nights or longer), it becomes more and more difficult to maintain the level of drinking required to get the value from the package. Sticker Shock - Even if you are not on a tight budget, drink prices on a Royal Caribbean cruise can be somewhat shocking. There might be the most amazing drink on the menu, but you cannot bring yourself to spend $14 (or more) on it because that sounds too expensive for just one drink.

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royal caribbean cruise cost

This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Get on island time and unwind on some of the best beaches in the world, venture deep into the rainforests, and snorkel the most vibrant reefs on a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise getaway with the whole family. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A.

ONE EPIC ADVENTURE

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In either scenario, it goes to making your total cost more predictable. It reminds us of cell phone plans and why so many people prefer unlimited data plans rather than fixed-data plans. Simpler to have one cost that covers everything, than worry about "going over." If you are on a short cruise and are looking to have a good time, the drink package can make a lot more sense, since there are less days to use the package benefits.

How to get to Royal Caribbean's cruise terminals and how much parking will cost

royal caribbean cruise cost

In 2023, prices jumped considerably, and the industry as a whole is seeing some of the highest prices in recent memory. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent also can help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage. Royal Caribbean also offers dedicated teen and tween programs on ships for children ages 12 to 17.

What your cruise fare will cost

As is typical for cruise lines, Royal Caribbean charges on a per-person basis, not per room, and it prices most cabins based on two people occupying a room. It does offer a small number of cabins on some ships that are priced based on single occupancy for solo travelers. Royal Caribbean allows you to bring two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin onto ships at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas. The line charges a $15 corkage fee if you bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or other public areas to drink. Royal Caribbean is known for offering a wide range of accommodations on its ships. You'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless inside cabins measuring just 149 square feet (perfect for the budget traveler) to massive, multiroom suites that are more than 10 times that size.

There are plenty of ways to get more bang for your buck when you sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Every ship in the fleet offers a range of delicious complimentary dining options, but you can dig into even more crave-worthy flavor by purchasing a Specialty Dining Package for less ahead of your cruise. Add a Specialty Beverage Package — which includes unlimited alcoholic beverages, soda, and more — and your experience is as close to all-inclusive as it gets. And with so many complimentary shows and attractions onboard, you can easily fill every sea day without spending a single dollar extra. Over the years, though, Royal Caribbean realized some of its guests prefer to add extras on to their core cruise experience. As a result, Royal Caribbean created cruise add-ons like specialty dining packages, drink packages, fitness classes, and more.

Credit cards

Shore excursions, drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, and wifi are just a few optional add-ons you can choose to buy for your cruise. How much you pay for a hotel can vary just as much as cruise fares, depending on the date of your trip, hotel brand, and other factors. That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises. In general, Royal Caribbean's big, resort-like Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships will be more expensive than the line's older, smaller vessels (Icon Class ships are particularly pricey). However, there are a lot of factors that go into pricing for any given cruise, including the popularity of the specific itinerary, the time of year when the cruise is taking place and changing demand trends. The top Pinnacle Club level brings free cruises after hitting key milestones.

Cabins and suites

Most cruise lines only show the base price of each cruise, and the price you see is usually the cost per person per room (based on double occupancy). Earn your wilderness badge as you cruise between the Alaska glaciers, pan for gold in prospecting towns, and trek across the rugged tundra on an Alaska vacation. And savor a burst of flavors throughout culture-rich ports in the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Scandinavia and beyond on an unforgettable cruise through Europe. No matter where in the world you choose to wander, cruises can take you deep into top-rated cruise ports and off-the-beaten-path gems, so you can experience each one like a local.

DELUXE BEVERAGE PACKAGE + VOOM ONE DEVICE

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Although I might consider a suite if I find a great deal, I’m unlikely to book any $10,000 suites any time soon. Whether in a suite or interior room, much of the Royal Caribbean experience remains the same. You can see the same shows, dine at the same restaurants, and visit the same destinations. Prior to my Liberty of the Seas cruise, I was bummed I would not be able to experience Coastal Kitchen, Royal Caribbean’s suites-only restaurant.

Plus, the drink package allows me to try new drinks because there's no limit to how many drinks I can order. In addition, having bottled water means you can take it around the ship with you, or even on shore excursions. The bottled water package is a convenient way to have spring water available for your use while you cruise. It's also something anyone that generally prefers bottled water over faucet water.

You can choose to pre-pay gratuities when booking your cruise or incur a daily fee once onboard the ship. Royal Caribbean’s current gratuity costs are $16 per person, per day in standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $18.50 per person, per day in Grand Suites and above. You can purchase each drink individually or purchase a Royal Caribbean beverage package. A Deluxe Beverage Package gives unlimited access to alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages. A refreshment package includes all beverages without alcohol, and a soda package includes only soda onboard. Most cruise lines offer alcoholic drink packages that include specific types of beverages for a set price.

Each morning of our cruise, complimentary breakfast was offered in Chops Grille exclusively for suite guests. This menu featured an enhanced menu compared to breakfast in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet, with both sweet and savory dishes. The sports court (referred to as the SeaPlex on Quantum Class ships) also offers complimentary use of its facilities, with organized sport games held throughout the sailing. You may find a few extra cost items on the Main Dining Room menu, such as a filet or lobster. These items are available for free on cruise ship formal nights during your cruise, but come at an extra cost on other nights. The price of a Royal Caribbean cruise varies based on several different factors including ship, sail date, length of the cruise and the number of guests per stateroom.

Select ships have science lab and craft workshop rooms within Adventure Ocean, where kids can participate in staff-led scientific experiments and crafts. While in Adventure Ocean, kids take part in activities led by the staff. There's a lot for kids to do at Adventure Ocean and the programming is specialized for each age group. The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive cultural exploration starting in the Med heading north. Discover Barcelona’s brilliant architecture, including Gaudi’s Sagrada Família.

What is the price for the World Cruise and its expeditions?

royal caribbean cruise cost

Based on our findings, we've determined an average base Caribbean cruise cost for a week to be $635 plus taxes and port fees. We looked at a sample of seven-night cruises to the Caribbean across multiple cruise lines departing in March 2024. As you research potential Caribbean cruise itineraries, consider the total cost.

BIONIC BAR

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a casino, and on the line's bigger vessels, these are big operations. The Casino Royale on Oasis of the Seas sprawls with 450 slot machines, 27 table games (including blackjack, roulette and craps) and a poker room, plus its very own bar. However, if your itinerary has mostly sea days, it becomes easier to get the value from the package. There are a few other drink package rules that you should be aware of as well.

What's included in Royal Caribbean's drink packages?

Hard ciders, like Angry Orchard and Strongbow, are $7.99, and most glasses of wine fall within the window of $8.00-$14.00. Typically, it can cost anywhere from $56 to $105 per person, per day. You aren't charged to bring the bottle onboard; however, if you opt to consume it in a public area, such as the dining room, you'll be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle. Research the top attractions in your ports of call to determine if you can easily visit without an organized tour.

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AMAZING SEASONAL CRUISE DEALS

2-night, 3-night, 5-night, and an Unlimited Dining Package are available to purchase before your cruise. You can choose to buy drinks individually or purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package, which allows you to enjoy unlimited drinks during your cruise for one set cost. Drink package prices range from $62-78 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package, $30-38 per person, per day for the non-alcoholic Refreshment Package, and $13-15 per person, per day for the soda package. While there is no shortage of dining options, activities, entertainment, and amenities included in your base cruise fare, there are many add-ons you can purchase on a cruise vacation. While spending extra on a cruise is not required, it’s helpful to know what costs extra on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Every drink package includes gratuities when you purchase it, so there's no additional tips or costs for anything included in the package.

Cabins and suites

The currency used on all Royal Caribbean ships is U.S. dollars, no matter where they are in the world. All vessels operate on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. On Oasis Class ships, there also are 735-seat outdoor "aqua theaters" that are home to dazzling aerial and water shows (Icon of the Seas has its own version of this under a glass dome called the AquaDome).

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Due to the port-intensive itinerary, I found myself with limited time onboard–let alone in my suite. Sure, I could have skipped a port day, but then I would be missing out on the beautiful beaches of the Bahamas. If you can stretch your vacation budget far enough to book a suite, it can be well worth the cost, particularly if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Outside of the select few fitness classes included in your cruise fare, the fitness center offers extra fee classes for yoga, spinning, pilates, and more. The fitness center also offers personalized training and consultations for an additional fee. There will be shows each evening, along with additional performances during the day on sea days. Live music is also included in your cruise fare, which comes in many genres and is offered throughout the day at multiple locations onboard. In addition, the ambiance is usually enhanced at these locations and the prices charged are not exorbitant.

cruise fees you should know about before booking

Unless your sailing has a higher-than-average price for the package, go for it. Those free perks could make the difference in which package you choose, if any. For example, a Diamond member might use her free drink allotment on cocktails and wine and save money with a Refreshment or Soda Package for her other daily drinks. Or, perhaps, the free drinks are enough that it's cheaper to buy a few nonalcoholic beverages a la carte. If you're lucky and can purchase your package at the lowest possible price, almost anyone who drinks a combination of non-alcoholic drinks and a couple of cocktails daily would break even.

Royal Caribbean offers several different drink packages, and the inclusions vary based on your choice. All options include gratuities, and no Royal Caribbean drink package includes room service or minibar drinks. Also, unlimited alcoholic beverage packages may not be available while the ship sails in some locations, so package details may change based on itinerary.

There is a cruise ship cabin for every type of traveler, from the most basic inside cabins to luxurious suites. Royal Caribbean designs its ships to appeal to a broad mix of people, in part by offering a wide range of cabin types at varying price points. On a typical sailing, you might find an entry-level cabin for around $100 per person per night, while a high-end suite is five or 10 times that amount. Royal Caribbean also operates a Royal Babies nursery program for children ages 6 to 18 months old that includes interactive child and parent classes with activities developed by early childhood experts.

Carnival Cruises said in June 2020 that it would sell six cruise ships after posting a $4.4 billion loss. Overall, whether a Royal Caribbean beverage package is right for you is a highly personal decision, based on a lot of variables. There is no flat "yes" or "no" answer to determining if a drink package makes sense for everyone, but hopefully the considerations in this post can help with your decision. By booking a drink package early you lock in the price and guard against a price increase, but can still take advantage of a price decrease. It is important to note that you are not always forced into paying full prices for drinks. Every day there will be a "drink of the day," where one drink is discounted about 20%.

Having the right credit card in your wallet may help you save money on a cruise, and cruise line-specific credit cards can be a good fit for brand loyalists. Many cruise lines discount prices a month or two before sailing to fill empty cabins. When you book a cruise, various food offerings are included in the price you pay. Many vacation goers who spend time exploring the Caribbean islands choose to do so by cruise ship. A cruise can be a stress-free way to soak up the sun and sand at incredible tropical destinations. Each guest is permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne with them when they board their ship.

This can save hundreds of dollars on any cruise and provide more flexibility in port. Dining package costs are typically around $84.99 for a 2-night (Chops + 1) package, $115 for a 3-night package, and $225 for an Unlimited Dining Package. In 2022, Royal Caribbean Group reported the average guest spent $ per person, per day on extras.

royal caribbean cruise cost

All of this contributes to bringing down the cost of drinks on a cruise, especially if you forgo a drink package and pay a la carte for your drinks. Royal Caribbean guests wishing to purchase a drink package can do so either prior to their cruise via the Cruise Planner web site or once onboard their ship. Once purchased, you must pay for the package for the duration of your cruise. If purchased during your cruise, guests will pay for the remaining nights of their cruise.

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