EmailFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Included in the cruise fare? And what's extra?
- How much and who should I tip?
- What is the cancellation policy?
- What if the cruise price drops after I book or I find a better fare?
- Does the ship provide internet access? If so, how much does it cost?
- How can I keep in stay in touch with friends and family on land? Can I use my cell phone?
- What is the dress code?
- Can I bring alcohol on board?
- What kinds of items are not allowed on board?
CRUISE INCLUDES:
Room accommodations
- Two twin beds (can convert into queen-size)
- Sitting area, vanity area, and a private bathroom
- Toiletries and amenities
- 24 hour room service
Food and drink
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, etc.)
- Beverages (non-bottled, non-alcoholic)
- Fountain water, juices, iced tea
- Coffee and tea
Entertainment
- Broadway-style shows
- Comedy shows
- Parades
- Las Vegas-style casino
- Disco and lounges
- Live music
General
- Explorer Academy (Learn to dance, ice skate, make jewelry, etc)
- Onboard Parties
- Games and contests
- Theme Nights
- Karaoke
- Sports activities (basketball, volleyball, table tennis, paddle tennis, etc.)
Not Included (available for EXTRA Charge):
Food and Drink
- Specialty restaurants
- Alcoholic beverages
- Bottled water and juices
- Sodas
On-board Acivities
Shore and land excursions
- Meals and accommodations ashore (except as noted)
General
- Air transportation (except as noted)
- Transfers (except as noted)
- Casino gambling
- Photographs
- Gratuities
- Telephone calls
- Items of a personal nature such as:
- medical services
- laundry
- massages
- spa treatments
- hair styling
- manicures
Some of these items may be purchased separately. Food and beverages are not included on Alaska Cruisetours. On the Canadian Rockies Cruisetours, food is included as noted in the cruisetour itinerary. For cruisetours that include air travel, airfare is included in the package.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here ↑ Back to Top
Tipping Policy
Envelopes for gratuities will be provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise. Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:
- Pre-paid by having them added to your reservation by your booking agent
- Added to your on-board SeaPass account.
- Paid in cash at the end of the cruise
Gratuity guidelines (updated Jan 3rd, 2010):
RCI recommends $11.65 per person per day. For suite guests, RCI recommends $13.90 per person per day. Here is how that total breaks down:
| Suite housekeeping staff: | $7.25 USD | a day per guest |
| Housekeeping Staff: | $5.00 USD | a day per guest |
| Dining room waiter: | $3.75 USD | a day per guest |
| Assistant waiter: | $2.15 USD | a day per guest |
| Headwaiter: | $0.75 USD | a day per guest |
Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages. Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served.
Notice to Guests: Gratuities may be shared with other crew members depending on the particular service requirement.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here↑ Back to Top
The cancellation fee depends on a couple of factors: Days until departure and length of the cruise. The closer you get to the sailing date the larger that fee. For more specific details when canceling a Cruise, see the information here.
For example, for a 1 week, 7-night cruise the cancellation fee is:
- None, if cancelled with 75 days or more until departure (if you notify Royal Caribbean in writing)
- Your deposit amount ($250 per person), if cancelled between 74-57 days from departure
- 50% of the total fare (taxes & fees excluded), if cancelled between 56 and 29 days till departure
- 75% of the total fare (taxes & fees excluded), if cancelled between 28 and 15 days till departure 100% of the total fare, if cancelled within 14 days of departure
Note: No refunds will be made if you do not show up for your cruise or if you interrupt or cancel your vacation once it has begun.
*When calculating the days prior to sailing, the day of sailing should not be considered as one of the days. The day of sailing is considered the first day of the cruise, therefore, the penalty period will commence one day prior to the day of sailing.
Royal Caribbean recommends the purchase of cancellation insurance.↑ Back to Top
Royal Caribbean Best Price Guarantee:
When you reserve with Royal Caribbean and subsequently find a lower rate advertised by Royal Caribbean within 48 hours from the time the reservation is made, we will honor that lower eligible rate by applying an onboard credit to the reservation equal to 110% of the price difference. For reservations outside of final payment period, the onboard credit may be replaced, upon request, with a reduction to the outstanding balance or a refund. An eligible, fare must be:
- Available for the same ship, sailing, category and number of guests as the current reservation;
- Available at the time the request for the lower rate is made; and
- rate that the current reservation would be eligible to receive, if any special restrictions apply.
The Royal Caribbean Best Price Guarantee Program will only be available up to 48 hours after the reservation is made. The Royal Caribbean Best Price Guarantee Program will be available for most rate types with the exception of the Royal Sales Events and Exciting Deals; Travel Agent, Interline or Industry Reduced Rates; Employee rate programs; and a select number of price programs and promotions; for new reservations only; or as specified in the price program detail. The subsequent lower rate will be subject to the prevailing taxes and fees and/or fuel supplement, if applicable.
Royal Caribbean Best Price Guarantee Program request form
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here↑ Back to Top
Internet
Depending on the ship there are two options for staying connected while on-board: Internet Cafe or WiFi. There will be six designated *"Hot Spots" which vary from ship to ship.
The cost for the Internet Cafe/Workstation and Wi-Fi access through your own laptop is:
Base rate is $0.65 per minute or choose from one of our prepaid packages:
| USD $35 | for | 60 minutes |
| USD $55 | for | 100 minutes |
| USD $75 | for | 150 minutes |
| USD $100 | for | 250 minutes |
| USD $150 | for | 300 minutes |
All prices are subject to change without notice.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here↑ Back to Top
Telephone:
Your friends and family can contact the ship by calling (888) 724-SHIP. Or from outside the U.S. they can call (732) 335-3285. The cost is $7.95 USD a minute and can be charged to their credit card. From outside the U.S. additional long distance charges will also apply.
You can make ship-to-shore calls from your stateroom, 24 hours a day. The cost is $7.95 per minute and will be automatically charged to you SeaPass account.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here
Cell Phone:
Yes, you can use your cell phone. Note, you will incur roaming charges (T-Mobile $4.99/min, AT&T $2.49/min, Verizon $2.49/min, Sprint $2.49/min, Alltel $2.49/min). Remember to pack your phone charger.
For more questions about your service or about billing, please contact your cell phone provider.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here↑ Back to Top
There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are:
- Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women
- Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women
- Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women
The number of smart casual and formal nights is at the ship's discretion.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here
For more information on what to pack follow the link.↑ Back to Top
Alcohol
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.
Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them.
Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here
Beverage Packages
Royal Caribbean offers a soda package for both kids and adults on every ship in our fleet. The cost of fountain soda package is determined by the length of your stay, with an average daily cost of $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for children* plus gratuity. (*Child prices available for kids under 18.) To purchase one, just visit any of the onboard bars or lounges. There are also three wine packages available for purchase. Here is a summary:
Fountain soda package (cannot be shared): $6 per person per day and $4 per day for kids 17 and under One can or glass of fountain soda: $1.95 Buy It: If you'll be drinking more than three cans of soda per day during your cruise
Bottled water package (sharing allowed): eight 1-liter bottles for $28.45 ($31.60 value); 12 bottles for $40.30 ($47.40 value); 16 bottles for $50.55 ($63.20 value); and 24 bottles for $71.10 ($94.80 value). One large bottle of water: $3.95 Buy It: If you plan on drinking eight or more large bottles of water during the cruise.
Juice packages (sharing allowed): cost $20.15 for 6 bottles of Minute Maid juices; $25.25 for 8 bottles; and $35.55 for 12 bottles. One bottle of Minute Maid juice: $3.95 Buy It: If you'll be drinking five or more bottles of juice.
Prohibited Items
Items with Heating Elements or Open Flames
Certain items that generate heat or produce an open flame are not permitted onboard. This includes clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense and any other item that may create a fire hazard. Curling irons and hair dryers are allowed.
Drugs or Other Illegal Substances
No illegal drugs or other illegal substances are allowed onboard or may be utilized during a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation, including during transfers to and from ships, inside terminals, while onboard, at our ports of call, during shore excursions or at our private destinations. Illegal drugs or substances will be confiscated and appropriate action taken, which may include removal from the ship and involvement of appropriate authorities. In addition, foreign governments at Royal Caribbean ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. Guests found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution by the foreign jurisdiction (and perhaps United States or other authorities as well) and may be prevented from re-boarding the ship.
Weapons, Explosives or Other Dangerous Items
No weapon, explosive, or other item that presents a risk of harm to persons or property, are permitted onboard. They will be taken by ship's Security and appropriate action taken. Items such as dive knives must be reported to ship's personnel at embarkation. They may be permitted onboard, but held in safe custody by the ship's Security staff when not in use ashore.
More info on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's website here↑ Back to Top
MeetOnCruise: Our Take
At Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the ship itself can be the destination. Ships feature 30-ft high rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, boxing rings and surf simulators. In 2009, the Cruise Line launched the largest ship in the world - Oasis of the Seas - featuring a 'Central Park' like neighborhood. Royal Caribbean is best suited for active couples, singles and families that enjoy large ships with lots of high energy entertainment and activities.
Royal Caribbean Photos from Members
