The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Table Of Content

• Unique Cruise Experience Extras on Icon of the Seas
• What is included in a Royal Caribbean all-inclusive package?
• Is food included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise?
• Is the use of pools, hot tubs, and fitness centers free on Royal Caribbean ships?
• Baltic Sea and Scandinavia
• WHAT'S INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE FARE WHEN CRUISING FROM SYDNEY AND BRISBANE
• Meals and Drinks

Your cruise ship will transport you to several exciting ports of call. These tours and additional experiences can be booked through the cruise line or through third part retailers at additional costs. Shore excursions can range from inexpensive walking tours to several hundreds of dollars for unique experiences.

Unique Cruise Experience Extras on Icon of the Seas

Whether you’re purchasing treats or visiting multiple times, you’ll need to pay separately. However, specialty coffees available at places like Cafe Promenade, which utilize Starbucks coffee beans, are included. Additionally, passengers with “The Key” program benefit from free room service throughout their cruise. The updated menu includes premium options like Wagyu Beef Hamburger and Grilled Salmon.

What is included in a Royal Caribbean all-inclusive package?

A refreshment package includes all beverages without alcohol, and a soda package includes only soda onboard. 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. The Royal Tots program (for ages 18 months to 3 years) offers 45-minute interactive playground sessions with age-appropriate activities and toys. On many ships, parents can drop off their babies at the nursery for short-term babysitting (this service comes with an extra charge). No other cruise line has as broad a range of entertainment and activities on its ships as Royal Caribbean.

Is food included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Quantum-class ships offer North Star, an aerial gondola that rises up to 300 feet above sea level for a bird’s eye view of the ocean or the local port. These ships also feature Ricpord by iFLY, an indoor skydiving simulator that is one of the most hair-raising experiences at sea. How about the SeaPlex where you can roller skate or take a spin on some bumper cars.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a fitness center that offers cardio and weight lifting machines, free weights, and more for no additional cost. Some, but not all fitness classes are included in your cruise fare, such as stretching and ab workouts. Royal Caribbean provides a selection of beverages included in your cruise fare. These drinks are available at any time, and include tap water, tea, coffee, lemonade, iced tea, milk, juices (not fresh squeezed), and hot chocolate.

If you’re craving something more specific like soda, specialty coffees, or alcoholic beverages, those come at an additional cost. There are some activities offered that have an additional fee, such as some fitness classes, bingo, casino activities, drink seminars, spa services and more. Other add-ons like the previously mentioned beverage packages or a dining package are additional fees. Likewise, so are photo packages, special celebration packages, and transportation to and from the cruise port.

Baltic Sea and Scandinavia

Royal Caribbean offers its guests pizza at some of its restaurants and buffets, as well as at Sorrento’s on the larger ships. For you will need to purchase an internet package if you want to stay in touch with family and friends, WiFi is not part of the cruise fare. If you would like clothing washed or pressed, these laundry services will cost you extra money as well. Some Royal Caribbean ships offer unique attractions that are not found on any other cruise line. Studio B is an ice skating rink that is home to a variety of production shows.

WHAT'S INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE FARE WHEN CRUISING FROM SYDNEY AND BRISBANE

From complimentary dining venues to specialty restaurants that require an extra fee, there’s a plethora of choices. While there are standalone Starbucks stores on some ships, their offerings are categorized as specialty dining and aren’t covered in the cruise fare. In addition to the daily gratuities, any onboard purchases or services, such as drinks, spa treatments, or dining at specialty restaurants, come with an added 18% gratuity. The spa is not included in your cruise fare, and spa treatments, salon services, and day passes all come with an additional cost. All Royal Caribbean cruise fares include most meals and snacks onboard your ship and at any private destination you visit (such as Labadee or CocoCay). This means there will be ample opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without additional cost.

These are a great way for kids to meet other kids on board, and for parents to have some quiet time. We bid and won a RoyalUp bid on our sailing on the Odyssey of the Seas. We were able to get a suite and had concierge access, for less money than we would have paid had we booked it initially. If having a suite is important to you, however, it’s best to just book it in advance.

They could be an excellent option for celebrating special occasions or simply breaking the routine of your cruise dining. Some people find that this convenience alone makes the package worth the cost. Wine enthusiasts can bring up to two bottles per stateroom, subject to a corkage fee if opened in public spaces. Teens aged onboard have access to a complimentary teen club and hangout area.

Cool down from your Surfside℠ adventures at this hangout mixing up drinks from two menus. One for grown-up drinks with a fun twist, and one for kid-approved sips. Rye & Bean serves the perfect caffeine fix to perk up your day or night. Timing is everything in 1977, the latest adventure starring the time-travelling hero, Tempus. Awe-inspiring artistry at the biggest ice skating arena at sea, Absolute Zero℠. Fuel bolder bonding at Surfside℠ – the ultimate stay-all-day family neighbourhood.

In addition to multiple pools and hot tubs and fully equipped fitness centres, all these activities are included (availability varies by ship). So, what is included on a cruise, and what do you pay extra for while onboard? You'll also get a clear understanding of all the ways you can upgrade your getaway with memory-making experiences for an additional fee.

Onboard activities such as rock climbing, ice skating, and main theater shows are also included, providing ample entertainment at no extra cost. A vast majority of cruise activities are included with your cruise fare. Your daily Cruise Compass or the Royal Caribbean app will list a schedule of activities offered onboard, and most have no charge.

Taking a stroll through Central Park, you could easily forget you’re onboard a ship. This tranquil outdoor space is designed to emulate an actual city park, filled with lush greenery, trees, and blooming flowers. Families might find the Ultimate Family Suite particularly appealing.

This sprawling oasis is the largest pool at sea – with over 40,000 gallons of water. While Adventure Ocean® youth and teen programs are complimentary, there is an hourly charge for the Royal Babies & Tots drop-off nursery, available on select ships for children between 6 months and 3 years old. Sara Strickland is a passionate and adventurous travel writer who is constantly on the lookout for hidden gem restaurants and unique experiences. With an insatiable wanderlust, she has made it her mission to explore the world and share her discoveries with fellow travelers through her popular travel blog, Addicted to Vacation.

Planning a cruise vacation can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right cruise line for your needs and budget. In this article we are going to look at what is included in a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Perfect for birthdays and celebrations, the menu at Desserted is all about extravagant milkshakes piled high with all your favorite toppings. Here, you can enjoy frothy classics inspired by old-school soda parlors or, for adults, boozy concoctions and spirited sweet treats. This decadent menu has me convinced to purchase a Specialty Dining Package to enjoy a discounted rate. Royal Caribbean offers ‘The Key’ – a program that gives premier access to exclusive experiences during your cruise.