With over-the-top fun like a nine-story zip line, rock walls, surf simulators and a water slide that drops nearly 100 feet, Royal Caribbean offers endless options for entertainment on your cruise. But some complain of paying à la carte for Wi-Fi and drinks and food that’s just average.
26 ships
Number of ships
Price
Yes
Price matches
| Target demographic | Families, Adults, Seniors, Teenagers, Toddlers, Honeymooners, Young Adults |
|---|---|
| Number of ships | 26 ships |
| Contact options | Phone, Email |
| Payment options | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card |
|---|---|
| Deposit required | Deposit at checkout |
| Deposit required | Price matches |
| Food | Food included |
|---|---|
| Drink | No free alcohol |
| Room service | Room service included |
With a based in Miami, Royal Caribbean sets sail from multiple Florida locations. But it also departs from East and West Coast cities and Canada, as well as select cities in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Amsterdam, Anchorage, Baltimore, Baoshan, Barcelona, Bayonne, Beijing, Boston, Copenhagen, Dubai, Fairbanks, Fort-de-France, Galveston, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, Montreal Dorval, New Orleans, New York City, Newark, Port Canaveral, Quebec, Rome, San Diego, San Juan, Seward, Shanghai, Singapore, Southampton, Stockholm, Sydney, Tampa/St.Petersburg, Tarragona, Tokyo, Vancouver, VeniceWhile it does specialize in trips to the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean offers adventures to more than 300 destinations on nearly every continent — Antarctic explorers should look elsewhere.
Alaska, Asia, Australia, Australia and New Zealand, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and New England, Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Middle East, Northern Europe, Pacific, Pacific Coastal, Panama Canal, South Pacific, Southern Caribbean, Southern Europe, Transatlantic, Western MediterraneanWhen weighing the value of Royal Caribbean’s fare, it can be helpful to see what is included next to what isn’t. Here’s the breakdown:
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
|
|
Royal Caribbean automatically charges gratuity to your SeaPass account daily per person. You’ll pay the balance after disembarking, though you can also request to prepay up front through your account or by calling 866-562-7625.
Here’s what you can expect to pay in gratuity:
| Stateroom category | Gratuity |
|---|---|
| Junior suites and below | $14.50 |
| Grand suites and above | $17.50 |
Cococay is Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, north of Nassau. It’s essentially a theme park, with activities for the whole family including a roller coaster, beaches, pools, restaurants, zip line, water park and a helium balloon that’ll take you 450 feet into the air.
However, most experiences in Cococay cost extra money. You can book and pay for each activity in advance through Royal Caribbean’s cruise planner.
Not all of Royal Caribbean’s cruises dock at Cococay, but many of its Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries do. Browse cruises that start in Miami, Galveston or Tampa if you’re hoping to set foot in Cococay.
Royal Caribbean is a giant in the cruise industry for its boundless energy and entertainment. But gratuities, specialty restaurants, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and most drinks aren’t included in the fare, at the end of the day you may end up paying far more than the sticker price.
Weigh the benefits and drawbacks before booking a trip.
Looking for a liquid-life hack? Here’s how to score drinks for free aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise:
Royal Caribbean offers loads of fun at decent prices, without the bells-and-whistles that more expensive cruise lines include. But folks looking for a more low-key cruise experience with fewer flashy rides and more lectures and cultural enrichment may want to consider Viking Cruise Line or Crystal Cruises.
If you simply want to see what else is out there, compare other cruise lines.
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