Where To Eat On Your Cruise
In short, there are a lot of places to dine while onboard your cruise. If you are hungry during your cruise, then you will not have to go very far to remedy that situation. Royal Caribbean offers a wealth of food to try, some of which is included in your cruise fare and some other options that have an additional cost.
When you book your cruise, you will have the option of picking traditional dining or My Time Dining. Each has its benefits, so be sure to compare My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining along side your own preferences to know which option will work the best.
Specialty dining is an emerging trend aboard their ships, where guests may elect to pay extra to dine at one of these restaurants. Each specialty restaurant is focused on a particular cuisine or food style that is often not available onboard the ship.
In terms of understanding how dining works and which areas cost extra and what is included, check out our guide to Royal Caribbean food as a good starting point. We also have an overview of what’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare to lay out exactly what costs extra and what does not.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass Oasis Of The Seas 2022
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If youre going on Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas and looking for recent Cruise Compasses, youre in luck.
Our family sailed on Oasis of the Seas for a 7 day Bahamas and CocoCay itinerary from Cape Liberty in May 2022. The daily activities, shows and opening hours of restaurants and venues are available on the Royal Caribbean App as well as on the daily Cruise Compass.
These are the daily planners for our 7 day cruise. Please note that unfortunately I did not get the Cruise Compass for embarkation day. For Day 2 I went down to guest services and picked up a printed copy. On Day 3 onwards our cabin steward provided the Cruise Compass in our cabin each evening.
If you like to have a printed Cruise Compass, its a good idea to ask your cabin attendant on the first day of your cruise.
Have A Question About The Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner
If something is unclear you can always call or email Royal Caribbean to get clarification. Im not a phone fan but over the years Ive submitted several emails looking for clarification. In fact, I just emailed them this week looking for clarification on a particular internet package.
Here is an example question that is a bit of a hot topic. Recently, Royal Caribbean changed its policy on the alcohol package. They now specify that if one adult in a stateroom purchase the alcohol drink packages all adults over 21 in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. .
So, if your spouse drinks but you dont, contact Royal Caribbean and ask them if there are exceptions to this new rule. By the way, yes, there are many. Dont be afraid to ask a question.
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Research Credit Card Perks
If you travel and cruise often, its worthwhile to have a credit card that rewards you for traveling. Some high-end credit cards have great perks and benefits that can help you accrue points.
I always book my Royal Caribbean cruises on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for a few key reasons.
First, this card is a premium travel credit card and we receive 3x points on all travel purchases with the card. Therefore, a $1,000 purchase will earn 3,000 Ultimate Rewards. These points can be redeemed for 1.5 cents per point on the Chase website, which is worth $45. When spending thousands of dollars on cruising and airfare, this adds up quickly.
Second, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has incredible travel insurance provided for common carriers, including cruise lines. This includes travel interruptions, cancellations and delays most importantly, it covers emergency medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage.
The American Express Platinum card also includes travel insurance and coverages, including emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Before booking additional travel insurance for your trip, consider if your credit cards already include coverage. If you cruise often, look into opening a credit card that rewards you for traveling. Ensure you are maximizing your purchases by paying for your cruises with credit cards that earn points for travel.
What Else To Do
There is so much more you can see and do on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Of course, the ports you will visit are a major attraction for any sailing. Swimming, exploring history, learning a new skill, and shopping are just some of the typical activities in most excursions. If we tried to list it all, we would likely come up with a list even longer than this blog post!
The key to any good day in port is centered around educating yourself about all the options available, and nuances of the port you are visiting. All too often, we see guests simply disembarking the cruise ship in port and then trying to figure out what to do. The internet is a wealth of information on every port you will visit.
Shore excursions are a major part of any Royal Caribbean cruise because a large part of your overall vacation is exploring the ports of call you will visit. You have just a few hours at each stop, but it should be enough to get a taste of the city you are visiting. Check out our guide to picking the perfect shore excursion, and be on your way to nailing down some great plans in every port of call.
Here are some other posts that cover “other stuff” on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and other ways to improve your vacation that do not really fit in the categories above:
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Rcis Shipboard Dreamworks Experience Program
DreamWorks Experience was a family-themed program via a partnership between Royal Caribbean International and Amblin Partners . Universal Pictures is the distributor of the DreamWorks movie productions through its subsidiary company Touchstone Pictures.
RCIs DreamWorks programming featured 3D movies and DreamWorks characters meets-and-greets. It was introduced in June 2010 and terminated in March 2019. This new entertainment program was geared toward families and offered DreamWorks movie-themed activities on only 9 RCI ships . The list of such activities included:
- DreamWorks characters meetings and greetings . The list of characters included Po , Shrek, Fiona, Puss , Alex, Gloria, King Julien, penguins .
- Character Breakfasts were offered in the Main Dining Room restaurant.
- 3D DreamWorks movie screenings were available in the Royal Theater , including first-run movies which premiered on the ship were on the same day they went at land-based theaters. Among the films were Shrek, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda.
- DreamWorks channel was part of the in-cabin TV programming.
- Themed activities and games included 3D animation workshops, storytime, themed dance parties, character story-based adventure games, regular character visits to kids facilities, onboard parades, meet-and-greets with photo ops .
- DreamWorks shows were available in Studio B and AquaTheater .
Consider The Ship’s Dress Code
Normally on a big cruise ship, there will be a formal night dinner and formal photo shoots. The dress code was not strict nor strictly enforced, as long as men are wearing a smart polo shirt and women are wearing a decent dress or trousers then you will be fine.
I saw some people who had really made an effort which was nice to see.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises 2022
Book a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2022 and enjoy a fun filled entertaining cruise holiday suitable for all the family and all ages. Discover some of the most stunning, modern and largest ships at sea. Call us today and speak to our cruising experts to find out more.
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Review Of Royal Caribbean
RCI is a subsidiary company and largest brand of RCG . This Norwegian-American corporation is currently ranked the worlds second-largest passenger shipping company . However, RCG owns the worlds biggest passenger ships. As of 2020, RCG controlled ~24% of the global ship cruising market , had full ownership of 4 brands , 49% stake in Pullmantur , 50% stake in TUI Cruises , 19% stake in Wamos Air .
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Shore Excursions Cancellation Policy
On June 15, 2017, Royal Caribbean International implemented a new “Shore Excursions Cancellation Policy” fleetwide. The new policy transitions from 1 day / 24-hour prior to land tour departure date to 48-hours prior to cruise port arrival date.
- Shore Excursions can be modified/changed or canceled up to 2 days / 48 hours prior to seaport arrival date without any penalty.
- Land Tours that involve travel by air/flights , trains, also special/themed events, overnight hotel stays and Private Journeys must be canceled 30 days prior to cruise departure date to avoid cancellation fees/penalties.
- In the event a land tour is canceled 48-hours prior to seaport arrival date, a full refund is provided to the passenger’s onboard account.
At the end of March 2017, RCCL corporation launched its own land tour travel website – GoBe.com. The website is non-cruise travel-related and allows international travelers to book tours and excursions in 97 countries and 896 cities worldwide.
- As of 2017, tour prices ranged from USD 14 to USD 3,785 .
- The new website is managed by Larry Pimentel (RCCL’s Chief Destination Officer, also Azamara Club’s President and CEO. The website provides full tour information, including duration, activity level, languages, etc.
- Optional custom itinerary planning is also offered.
RCI fly-cruise packages are via the company’s Air2Sea program.
Royal Caribbean International App
Seamless adventures are now just a tap away for guests with the new Royal Caribbean International app. The app packs a list of features that make it easier for guests to plan and manage their vacation, including access to daily plans and deck maps, reservations for dining and shore excursions, and more. The Royal Caribbean International app is free to download and use for both iOS and Android devices no internet package is required.
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Not Yet For Eastern Caribbean
Whats notably missing are Eastern Caribbean cruises, such as those that sail to the Bahamas. Currently, the island nation requires all cruise ship passengers 12 and over to be fully vaccinated to enter the port. This also includes cruise line private islands, such as Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean said, We are working with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries. We want to ensure a great experience going ashore at these ports, for guests of any vaccination status, while meeting local health regulations.
The cruise line is working with the ports and says it will share information to travel agents and guests as it becomes available.
This news comes as the cruise industry starts to relax its protocols and aligns with other travel sectors, such as flights. With the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ending its cruise ship program on July 18, 2022, multiple cruise lines have already announced updated protocols to allow more unvaccinated guests to sail and to reduce pre-cruise testing.
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Passenger Shipping Pause 2020
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, RCG-Royal Caribbean Group suspended its entire fleet’s passenger shipping operations worldwide by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 15, 2020, through early-July 2021.
Next are listed all RCI ships and their first departure dates/regions/homeports – ADVENTURE OTS , ALLURE OTS , ANTHEM OTS , BRILLIANCE OTS , ENCHANTMENT OTS , EXPLORER OTS , FREEDOM OTS , GRANDEUR OTS , HARMONY OTS , INDEPENDENCE OTS , JEWEL OTS , LIBERTY OTS , MARINER OTS , NAVIGATOR OTS , OASIS OTS , ODYSSEY OTS , OVATION OTS , QUANTUM OTS , RADIANCE OTS , RHAPSODY OTS , SERENADE OTS , SPECTRUM OTS , SYMPHONY OTS , VISION OTS , VOYAGER OTS , WONDER OTS .
All affected bookings received full refunds , including on prepurchased through RCI cruise packages and services. With rebooking are offered 125% refunds in FCC to be used on itineraries that depart up to September 30, 2022. The FCC must be redeemed by December 31, 2021. Full cash refund or changing the FCC to a monetary refund must be done by March 31, 2021. Within 45 days , all taxes, port fees and pre-purchased packages-amenities are automatically refunded to the original form of payment.
RCI’s Cancellation Policy was extended to allow penalty-free cancellations up to 48 hours prior departure and receive an FCC. The policy was also enhanced with two new rebooking options – “Best Price Guarantee” and “Lift and Shift” .
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Royal Caribbean Blog Is Your Ultimate Source For Royal Caribbean Coverage
Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more.
Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience.
Whether you cruise multiple times per year or youre new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with whats new and exciting with Royal Caribbean.
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Travel Agents
Get assurance with your next cruise vacation, when you let Cruise Planner’s travel agents book your vacation travel. Not only will travel insurance protect you from unforeseen happenings, but your Cruise Planner’s travel agent will make sure that your needs are taken care of by providing multiple travel options for you to select from.
From transportation, to accommodations, cruises, tours, and travel insurance, Cruise Planners travel agents will book it for you! Simply fill out our Cruise Deal contact form and a Travel Agent that specializes in getting travelers great cruise deals for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Ships will contact you.
For immediate travel assistance, you may also contact a Royal Caribbean cruise travel agent directly by calling 1-800-683-0206. You may want to locate travel agents that are within your city of residence, but we assure you that our travel agents will be able to get you great rates and book a great vacation no matter their location.
Cruise Planners travel agent is merely a selling agent and makes no warranty expressed or implied. Each Cruise Planners is Independently Owned and Operated. Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has a tremendous reputation for quality, service, and very competitive pricing for ALL of your travel needs. Cruise Planners travel advisors will help you discover exciting adventures around the world. To learn more about Cruise Planners and the executive team,
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How To Book Your Cruise
When you are ready to make your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can certainly reserve your stateroom via RoyalCaribbean.com, which offers a simple, yet robust means of choosing your ship, stateroom and dining preferences.
The best way to find and book the right cruise for you is by using a travel agent. Imagine having someone with a wealth of knowledge about Royal Caribbean that can help you with your particular circumstances, preferences, and needs. That is what a good travel agent provides. It is a back-and-forth dialogue, and they are there to hold your hand and give you personalized advice.
If you go this route, look for a travel agent who primarily or exclusively does Royal Caribbean related bookings. Travel agents that specialize in Royal Caribbean are often fans of the cruise line too and enjoy planning their own trips and want to share their knowledge with others.
When you seek out a travel agent, an agent with great knowledge of Royal Caribbean is critical to helping you have a better cruise experience. Royal Caribbean has spent an incredible amount of time and resources to help educate agents in what Royal Caribbean offers and it all ends up benefiting you.
More About The Eastern Caribbean
What is the best time to cruise to the Eastern Caribbean?
Eastern Caribbean cruises sail year-round. They are more affordable during the summer months, but since hurricane season here runs from May through November, many cruisers choose sailings in the winter and spring.
Which cruise lines go to the Eastern Caribbean?
The Eastern Caribbean encompassing islands like Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic is arguably the most common region offered by mainstream cruise lines. Youll have plenty of choices including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Disney, Celebrity and more.
What are some things to do in the Eastern Caribbean?
Lazy beach days, water sports and duty-free shopping will always be Eastern Caribbean mainstays, but there are plenty of other options, as well. You can visit historic forts and ruins in St. Kitts, tour a rum distillery in San Juan, go fishing or sailing in Grand Turk or take a food tour on St. Croix.
Do you need a passport to take a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean?
If youre an American citizen and your cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. port, you do not need a passport. However, requirements can vary for ports on your cruise itinerary, so you should always check before you book your sailing.
What should I pack for a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean?
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