It is impossible to come up with a universal formula for the perfect cruise for everyone, but we have tried to offer several ways to help make your trip unforgettable.
While some people manage to try all the entertainment on the ship before lunch, others are just waking up by this time. This is the beauty of such a vacation: only you control your day. We tried to select tips that will be useful to every Royal Caribbean guest.
Don’t buy air tickets every day
Arriving on the same day as the ship departs is very risky. Flight delays always happen at the most inopportune times. That’s why it’s worth leaving a day or two to walk around the city and get used to the time zone change, if there is one, of course.
In the same way, you should not fly away immediately after the end of the cruise, let yourself get used to the fact that your vacation is over, and get ready to return to everyday life.
If your position allows you to work remotely, then just imagine how good it will be for you to sit on the beach in Florida or Italy with your laptop without losing vacation days.
This strategy is especially good for short cruises, as it allows you to prolong the feeling of relaxation.
Buy The Key
With The Key, you’ll not only be able to check in faster, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of what’s only available to VIP guests. A welcome lunch will await you upon boarding the ship, and you will also be able to reserve a specific time slot for the activities you want to try.
The Key is a great way to pamper yourself a little at a fraction of the cost.
Go for a massage on the very first day
It’s no secret that Vitality Spa is the best place for those who want to relax and enjoy their vacation.
“Why is it worth going there on the first day?” – you ask. Everything is very simple. Embarkation day is always a hectic day with everyone trying to make restaurant reservations, plan their days, and unpack.
At the end of the day, you feel like you have too little energy left. Now it’s time for a massage! In addition, on the first day prices are usually lower, because everyone is busy with their own business and the demand is not so great. A visit to Vitality Spa will help you finally feel like you’re on vacation and will put you in a positive mood for the days ahead.
Ask the waiter for an alternative menu
If you have allergies to certain foods, or simply want to try items that are not on the main menu, explain to your waiter what you want, even if it is not on the menu.
Politely ask the employees, and if the kitchen has the necessary ingredients, they will definitely help you.
Keep in mind that some dishes take a little longer to change, so it’s best to call the restaurants you plan to visit in advance. Usually 24 hours is enough.
Don’t go into town and stay on board
Although your choice of route depended largely on the ports the ship will call at, we recommend spending time on board during one of the stops. This will give you a great opportunity to take advantage of all the benefits of a half-empty ship.
If you have already been to this port, or if no excursion excites you, then maybe it’s really worth staying on the ship and enjoying the empty pools. In the morning and afternoon, when the ship is in port, the areas around the pool are much less crowded than usual. At such times it is definitely easier to find free sun loungers and go into the jacuzzi.
If you have children, staying on board will not only allow them to swim safely, but also allow them to ride the water slides without having to wait in line.
Find out everything about your plane before boarding
To regret that you missed a lot simply because you learned about entertainment too late is terrible. You want to make sure you don’t miss out on the fun on board? Then you’ll want to research your ship ahead of time.
Royal Caribbean undeniably announces all the key attractions, but there are a huge variety of attractions beyond the water slides and FlowRider. So, for example, on almost any ship you can go to shows, performances and even an aqua theater.
The easiest way to stay up to date is to read the daily Cruise Compass newspaper. It describes all the events that happen that day, as well as those that you can expect in the following days.
The more you know, the less likely you are to be disappointed by missing an event.
Go to the pool on the first day
Did you know that all slides are open on boarding day?
Many people don’t realize this, moreover, most don’t have swimsuits with them on the first day.
Put all your swimming gear in your carry-on bag and change as soon as you board the ship to enjoy empty pools and no lines.
Even when all the luggage has already been delivered to the cabins, people still don’t go swimming, because it’s time for dinner.
Taking a dip in the pool or jacuzzi first is a great start to your vacation. You shouldn’t spend the first hours exploring the airliner, because you will always have time.
Try to move to a higher class cabin
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to truly enjoy a cruise. However, Royal Caribbean has a pre-cruise program called RoyalUp, where you can bid on a cabin upgrade and end up in a higher category.
In this program you will not know how much others have placed, nor the availability of rooms. But, if you’re lucky, you can end up getting a higher class cabin for much less money than if you had taken it in the first place.
People cancel cruises all the time, even just a few days before the start. RoyalUp is helping the company fill those empty cabins.
There is nothing wrong with dreaming about something better, so if you are not afraid to try your luck, then we advise you to try to participate in the program.
Take two cabins for your family instead of one
If you are planning to travel with children, then you should consider the option of two adjacent cabins.
Not only will this allow you to stay up later than the kids, but it will also give the kids their own space to play during the day.
The most important thing is that you will have two bathrooms! Families with teenagers find this particularly beneficial.
It is worth noting that booking two cabins does not mean that you will have to pay more. It often turns out that the price of one large cabin is even more expensive.
Take advantage of the help of porters at the end of the cruise
When the time comes for the end of the cruise, please yourself and your back by using the services of porters. Often people try to carry their suitcases on their own in order to save a couple of dollars. The movers’ service is actually free, but you will be expected to tip (one or two dollars).
It seems to me that it is much better to turn to them for help and reduce the severity of the road. In some ports, stevedores even have their own queue at customs, which also allows you not to waste time.
