17 Royal Caribbean First Time Cruise Tips
First Time Cruisers
So you want to book your first cruise with Royal Caribbean, how exciting! Cruising is one of my all-time favorite ways of vacationing! You are going to have the best time.
Royal Caribbean is our personal favorite cruise line. Royal Caribbean is great for first-time cruisers, families, and basically everyone! There is something for all to enjoy and they have a ton of different ships to choose from.
We have been on several cruises and have learned some tips and tricks along the way. We have done things the wrong way, but have also learned from our mistakes and want to help you.
Before you book your cruise, I am going to go over some of my best Royal Caribbean first-time cruiser tips. These tips will help your cruise be even more enjoyable because you will not have to worry about if you are missing anything important. Just have fun and enjoy your vacation!
Cruise Tips
Tip # 1- Book the Cruise As Soon As You Can
My number one tip is to book the cruise you want as soon as you can. As you get closer to the cruise date normally the prices only get more expensive. Lock in that lower price when you can!
If you use a travel agent, most agents will track if for some reason the cruise price lowers and can change your booking to save you some money. So it is best to go ahead and book your cruise ASAP to guarantee the best price possible.
I actually just got an email from our travel agent that our future cruise has lowered in price and they saved us some money!
Tip # 2- Research the Ship You Are Going On
Before you even book your cruise research the ship you are going on. Each ship can be different, so make sure it has the amenities you want and your expectations are set.
The last thing you want is to get on board and find out the ship you are on doesn’t for example have a water slide, which was what your child was most excited for.
Each ship in the Royal Caribean fleet has different amenities. Different ships will have water slides, a kid splash area, dining options, shows, and many other options. Research the ship before you book to make sure you will get the type of vacation you are looking for.
Lastly, make sure you research your ship to make sure you don’t miss anything. You don’t want to be on your last day of vacation and learn the ship you are on has an ice rink on it and you missed the ice rink show that you would have loved!
Tip # 3- Buy your Drink Package As Soon As You Can
Tip number 3 relates to tip number 1; buy your drink package ASAP. Again the price of the drink package will normally only go up. If you know that you are going to want a drink package on your cruise go ahead and book it soon. If later on you see that the price has gone down you can always cancel the original package you bought and buy it at the lower price. There is really nothing to lose.
There are a couple of different drink packages to choose from as well. It is not just an alcohol package.
We do not normally drink, so my husband gets the soda package and I get the refreshment package.
Check out the different packages on your cruise planner to see if there is one that works better for you and your lifestyle.
Tip # 4- Book Your Cruise Excursions and On Board Shows Early
This next tip goes along with 1 and 3. Tip number 4 is to book your cruise excursions and shows before you get on board.
When it comes to excursions there are normally sales going on before the cruise to get a better price on them than while on board. By booking before you get on board you also have time to research all the different excursions that are available to make sure you choose one that matches the vacation you are wanting.
Finally, by booking early you have less chance of the excursion you want being sold out.
Some ships even have shows that you reserve for before getting on board. Check to see if your ship has that type of show and if so book the one you want before it potentially sells out.
For example, we were on the Odyssey of the Seas this past trip and we could prebook our show to The Book (which was amazing, highly recommend).
Tip # 5- Download the Royal Caribbean App
The app will have almost everything you will need while on board. Down to the cruise planner, a map, menus for every restaurant and bar, dress code for the night, a chat feature to talk to others on board, how you check in, and more!
The app is honestly a must-have in my opinion.
Tip #6- Travel In the Day Before
Tip number 6 is to travel in the day before. Do not miss your cruise because of a missed or canceled flight, or if driving traffic. If something happens to your flight or road conditions and you are traveling the day before you have more time to get to your destination in time to get to your cruise. The ship will not wait for you to make it, be aware of your time.
We have always traveled in the day before, it saves me from my anxiety.
Tip # 7- Check in for your Cruise Before You Arrive at the Cruise Port
The next tip is to check in for your cruise before you arrive at the cruise port. You are going to need your Royal Caribbean app for this. Depending on your sailing you can normally check in for your cruise about 30ish days before your cruise.
Checking in for our cruise is our nice little reminder to start getting excited!
When you get to the cruise port you will see two different lines to get on board, one for people who prechecked in and one for people who didn’t. The line for those who prechecked in goes so much faster because you already filled in the majority of what they need before you can board the ship. On our first cruise ever we did not precheck in because I didn’t see the point, but we have never not pre-checked in since!
Tip # 8- Choose the Earliest Time to Aboard the Ship As Possible
Tip number 8 is to choose the earliest boarding time possible. When you go to check in referred to in tip number 7 you get to choose from a number of boarding time options; for example 11 am – 12 pm. My tip is to choose the earliest time option you can get. The more time you have on the ship the more time you have to enjoy what is on board. Plus by getting on board before the masses you have time to get to know the ship without the crowds.
Tip # 9- Pack a Small Carry On Bag with You
One thing most first-time cruisers do not think of is packing a small carry-on bag with them when boarding. My husband and I will normally each bring on a backpack, you can also choose to bring a tote or something similar.
In your carry-on bag pack things like all your travel documents, electronics, medications, sunscreen, and a swimsuit (you can start using the pools and water slides before it gets busy because a lot of people do not think to pack a swimsuit)
Tip # 10- Do Your Muster Drill First Thing
When you get on board you start to get super excited and want to start your vacation; especially as a first-time cruiser. But what you want to do first is to go do your Muster Drill. Watch your muster drill videos on the Royal Caribbean App in the morning while still at your hotel to get that out of the way, then once on board, all you have to do is find your Muster Drill station. If you need help finding your station just ask a crew member, everyone is helpful at Royal Caribbean. It might be a bit cumbersome, but it is extremely important. Make sure you pay attention! And once you are done and checked in go have fun!
Tip # 11- Controversial: Go to the Windjammer for Lunch
The second thing I suggest you do is to go find food!
The food is one of our favorite things about cruising.
Not everyone will agree with this tip, but we love going to the Windjammer (the buffet) for our first-day lunch. There are plenty of food options to please everyone and it is delicious! The experience of seeing everyone gather in the Windjammer with such exhilaration for the cruise is definitely something to see and experience!
Tip # 12- Turn Your Cell Phone on Airplane Mode Before Sail Away
This is a simple, but very important tip to follow. Turn your cell phone on airplane mode before Sail Away. You do not want to get back home with a ton of roaming fees from being out on the ocean.
Tip # 13- You Don’t Have to Go to Special Dining
One tip you can follow or not is that you do not have to go to specialty dining. Depending on the ship you are cruising on there could be lots of different specialty dining options to choose from. All of those options I am sure you will have an amazing time and eat a good meal, but do not feel like you have to eat at them.
You can have amazing food with astounding service and environments while still being on a budget. The Main dining is a wonderful experience with some yummy food to choose from.
The main dinning room where my husband and I will eat dinner almost every night of our cruise.
Tip #14- If You Chose My Time Dining Ask to Sit with the Same Waiter
When booking your cruise you will have the option to choose a set dining time or My Time Dining (which means being able to go to dinner anytime during a certain time; such as 6:45 pm – 9 pm). If you book My Time Dining they will sit you at an open table that they have available at that time. But a tip that most first-time cruisers do not know is that you can try to request the same waiter from the night before. By requesting the same waiter each time the staff can get to know you and vice versa. The wait staff will normally get to know your food preferences and have a more personal touch. On our last cruise, our waiter automatically gave us cokes to drink without asking because he already knew that was what we would like.
Tip #15- Take the Stairs if Possible
Besides the newest ships like The Icon of the Seas, the elevators are crazy busy and you may have to wait a minute before one arrives for you. But the good news is that you will be eating a ton of food, so some exercise is probably a good idea anyway.
Tip # 16- If Flying Book Your Flight Home at the Earlist Mid-Morning
Tip number 16 is if you are flying home book your flight at the earliest mid-morning. Now I know that thinking about the end of your cruise can be painful, but let’s help with your stress levels. You will need time to get off the ship, get an Uber or some type of transportation to the airport, and through security. So make sure you give yourself enough time to do all that and still maintain your vacation mellow.
Tip # 17- Relax
Finally, the last tip number 17 is to relax. You are on vacation! Enjoy yourself and have fun! Now that you have these tips in your back pocket, your cruise should be amazing!
Conclusion
Cruising is an amazing experience and we recommend it to everyone! Being a first-time cruiser can be intimidating, but by following these tips you will seem like you know what you are doing.
Book that cruise and have a blast!
Fellow seasoned cruisers post down in the comments if there is anything that I forgot! And those who follow the tips post down in the comments if they helped you and if you loved your cruise!
