Cruise Ships Have A Ton Of Towels
Every once in a while I hear of cruisers packing their own towels. Im not sure if these guests do this when they go to hotels, but thats a lot of bulk. Do they think if they forget them theyll just have to drip dry in the shower? If youre thinking you may need towels for the beach or pool, the cruise line takes care of this as well. Youll find beach towels in your room for taking ashore, towels available by the pool, and more brought to you if you just ask. Some contemporary lines do keep track of how many you have checked out and bill you if you fail to return any – a practice I really dont like. Either way, ships have so many towels they even fold them to look like animals!
What Should I Pack For My Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacation
Personal Items:
We suggest that guests transport all their medications in their carry-on luggage to minimize the potential for diversion or loss of medications and advise that all medications remain in their original, labeled prescription containers. It is also advisable to pack at least three days of extra medication in the event of an unexpected change in the itinerary of the voyage.
Clothing:
When youre on board, the right look will vary by venue. But here are a few types of suggested attire youll see, grouped by occasion. Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits . Ashore, youll need comfortable walking shoes.
If you’re cruising to the Caribbean, Mexico or other warm weather destinations, bring a hat for protection from the sun. If your cruise vacation will take you to Alaska, Canada & New England or Northern Europe, be sure to pack a jacket and several sweaters.
Casual: You’re on vacation relax! Jeans, shorts, tees, tank tops, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck.
Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with jackets, sports coats, blazers, collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits.
Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
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Expect A Better Muster Drill Experience
If theres one good thing to come out of the last two years, its the simplified safety drill.
Royal Caribbeans new emuster allows travelers to review the information at their own time prior to setting sail, eliminating the need for the traditional large group assemblies.
After reviewing safety information individually, guests complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ships departure, as required by international maritime law.
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Sleep Softly But Dont Bring Mattress Toppers
Some cruise ships have amazingly comfy beds, others clearly use the same suppliers as military barracks. If youre worried youll want to soften your sleeping experience, you dont need to bring a bulky mattress topper. Most cruise lines have mattress toppers available upon request. Your stateroom attendant will bring one and put it on your mattress for you. We do this on Royal Caribbean, and while once in a while they dont have enough to go around, theyve simply put several additional comforters down between the mattress and bedding, which has worked quite well.
Cruise Ships Have Hangers
If youre worried that when you arrive in your stateroom there wont be enough hangers, fear not. Ships have plenty of hangers that your stateroom attendant will be happy to bring you anytime youd like. I tend to hang most of my clothes, and often ask for extras. Generally, the hangers the crew will bring you are standard wire hangers, not the type found in hotels that can only match up with the brackets already in the closet. We actually made a video about this four years ago – it was one of our first YouTube videos! Cruising? Don’t Pack Hangers!
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How Much Does A Royal Caribbean Cruise Cost
Royal Caribbean designs its ships to appeal to a broad mix of people, in part by offering a wide range of cabin types at varying price points. On a typical sailing, you might find an entry-level cabin for around $100 per person, per night while a high-end suite is 10 or 15 times that amount.
As of December 2021, an Owner’s Panoramic Suite on Oasis of the Seas for a seven-night Caribbean cruise in January 2023 was going for $10,859 per person, based on double occupancy nearly 16 times the cost of the least-expensive inside cabin . Balcony cabins on the same sailing started at around $768 per person, based on double occupancy.
Note the based on double occupancy caveat. As is typical for cruise lines, Royal Caribbean charges on a per-person basis, not per room, and it prices most cabins based on two people occupying a room. It does offer a small number of cabins for solo travelers on some ships that are priced based on single occupancy.
In general, Royal Caribbeans big, resort-like Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships will be more expensive than the lines older, smaller vessels. But there are a lot of factors that go into pricing for any given cruise, including the popularity of the specific itinerary, the time of year when the cruise is taking place and changing demand trends.
As you might expect, pricing for all ships generally will be lower during off-season periods such as September and October.
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How To Pack For A Cruise: Womens Cruise Packing Tips
When you think about how to pack for a 7 day cruise, it can be hard to figure out how everything will fit. Use these cruise packing tips to make it easier:
- Choose one color palette and build around that. I love navy and use it for a base when I cruise. My pants, shorts, dresses and accent pieces all coordinate around that one color.
- Pack a few pieces of jewelry to mix and match throughout the cruise.
- Add layers youll want a sweater or wrap for breezy late nights on the top deck or for air conditioned shows in the theater.
- Bring gym clothes if you plan to climb the rock wall or work out.
- Consider two swimsuits when you pack for a 7 day cruise because it can take a while for one to dry.
- Pack one pair of dress shoes, a pair of daytime shoes, and gym shoes if needed.
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What Travel Documents Are Required To Board
In order to board the ship, guests will need to bring the following documents:
- COVID-19 Test Result : Some guests will need to bring a negative test to board. See testing requirements for your cruise here.
- Health Status Questionnaire: to be completed on the Royal Caribbean app before you board.
- Government Identification: Accepted forms of identification vary based on nationality, departure port and disembarkation port. See details below to learn what forms of identification are accepted.
- COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card and Forms : While COVID-19 vaccination is not required for most sailings, a few countries still require vaccination to cruise. On sailings from Singapore and Australia, guests age 12 and older will need to show proof of full vaccination in order to board. Some countries require you complete COVID-19 related travel authorizations before setting sail. Learn more.
- Travel Visas : Visa requirements vary depending on nationality and the country you are sailing from, see guidance here.
Accepted Forms of Identification
All guests will also need a form of identification to board the ship. Accepted forms of identification vary based on nationality, departure port and disembarkation port.
Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens
- U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends. A U.S. Passport book is required for international sailings.
No refunds will be given to individuals who fail to bring proper documentation.
Consider All The Extra Cruising Costs
Your cruise fare gets you a cabin, access to the main dining room, buffet, and at least a few other free dining options, most entertainment, and some basic beverages. You could pay extra for any of the following:
- Internet access
- A beverage package or a la carte drinks
- Specialty dining
- Special entertainment
- Shore excursions
- Onboard shopping
- Casino gambling
Those arent the only areas where you might spend more, but its important to consider these costs when planning your trip. Internet access, for example, might cost $22 per day for a single device . An all-you-can-drink beverage package including alcohol can cost between $55 and over $100 per day, per adult passenger in your cabin. Neither of those is an inconsequential cost so its very important for most people to understand what they will actually spend versus what their basic fare will cost.
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Fancy A Free Specialty Meal
To help you make up your mind on which specialty restaurants to visit. The cruise line offers you complimentary food samples from its specialty restaurants in a bid to get you to book specialty dinners. Be on the lookout for those and enjoy free delicious meals. Also, eat cheaper meals at the specialty venues during lunch hour as opposed to dinner time.
Ways To Id Your Suitcase
When your cruise is over and you are headed to the cruise terminal to collect your belongings and get on your way home, the last thing you want to do is play the “where is my luggage” game. Your luggage will be waiting for you in groups that are separated by numbers, but there still can be a lot of luggage to comb over.
In order to simplify finding your own luggage and alert others that the generic black suitcase you own is not theirs is to invest in some way of identifying your luggage. You can use bandanas, string, luggage tags, stickers or whatever else will stay affixed to your luggage. You do not have to be very creative, just come up with a decoration scheme that works for your family.
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What To Pack For The Caribbean Beaches
Its a cruise vacation in the Caribbean. Everyone is going to the beach with no exception at least once during a cruise. This waterproof phone case is a must item for the Caribbean cruise. It will protect your phone from sands and water. Some people are using it for underwater photography. If you are brave enough, go for it.
A water bottle is the must item for Caribbean cruises. The heat is strong if it is not morning. You can go up to the Lido deck and fill up the water bottle with water or juice. Then take it with you. Its free! Always drink bottled water in the Caribbean. If you cannot find a shop around, how can you manage the urgent need to drink water? Stay hydrated wherever you go! In Mexico, water is costly. Its more than alcoholic drinks or beer.
Warm sunshine and clear blue water are powerful imagery for the Caribbean vacation. Please do not underestimate sunlight. Sunscreen is the must item to bring with you. You can find it at shops in the Caribbean, but you may fancy using what you are familiar with. Ships sell sunscreen, but it is expensive. Save money and time. No need to find a shop for the item on a vacation.
Pack Shore Friendly Items
Pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions. Or invest in a pair of good inner soles for your walking shoes. Carry water shoes as well, especially if you will be visiting Labadie, which tends to be a bit rocky. Wear wide-brimmed hats, shades and plenty of water-resistant sunscreen protection when exploring the shore. You can find plenty of travel wear and gear from Amazon.
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What To Pack For A Royal Caribbean Cruise
Putting together a Royal Caribbean packing list? You’ll want many of the items you can find in our ultimate guide to packing for a cruise, but there are also some extra items you might want to consider adding to your Royal Caribbean checklist. With so many active pursuits spread across its fleet — FlowRider, bumper cars, ice skating, water slides, iFly, DreamWorks parades and breakfasts — you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to make the most of your time onboard. Here are a few must-have items that will ensure you’re ready from the minute you step onboard.
Things You Cant Bring On A Royal Caribbean Cruise
A Royal Caribbean cruise packing list wouldnt be complete if I didnt let you know the things not to pack for your cruise. For safety reasons, many of these things are prohibited on a cruise ship.
If you bring these items, theyll likely be confiscated by crew members.
Heres a quick list:
- Candles or any item with an open flame
- Irons and clothes steamers
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Other Dress Codes On Royal Caribbean Cruises:
Is There a Dress Code for Ice Skating on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?When ice skating on a Royal Caribbean cruise all guests must wear long trousers/pants and socks. This dress code is strictly enforced for safety reasons.
If you dont have both of these you will not be allowed to skate. I actually have never been ice skating on a Royal Caribbean cruise although I did see the ice show on the Independence of the Seas, it was INCREDIBLE.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks
The ultimate guide on cruising with these Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks, perfect for new cruisers thinking about booking their vacation at sea with the major cruise line.
Your long-awaited Royal Caribbean cruise vacation is finally on the horizon and you are as excited as a startup that has just landed their first client in the last six months. Hurray!! Happy for you. So, we want you to have an unforgettable cruise by being prepared so you can spend more time enjoying the voyage. There are Royal Caribbean cruise tips which can help you out below.
Whether this will be your first cruise ever, your first cruise with RCCL or your 10th cruise with them, you are guaranteed to leave with some handy travel tips and tricks that will help you enjoy your cruise a whole lot better. Another major cruise line is Carnival Cruise Line and we have 100 Carnival Cruise Tips for you to read right here.
So without much further ado, here are 50 Royal Caribbean Cruise tips and tricks guaranteed to help you get a better cruising experience.
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What To Leave At Home
There is a whole list of items that cant be brought onboard, so it’s best to know about this ahead of time and not waste space or risk losing them.
There is a detailed list of prohibited items on Royal Caribbean’s website, and among many are items that heat up, which can cause a fire hazard on the ship. Anything that could interfere with the safe operation of the ship or the safe and secure environment of guests and crew are prohibited.
Here are some common items that the cruise line does not permit onboard:
- Beer, hard liquor and spirits
- Irons and steamers
Read The Cruise Compass Every Day
Each evening, your stateroom attendant will deliver to your stateroom the Cruise Compass, which is a daily guide to the news, events and activities that will be occurring on your ship the next day.
Royal Caribbean packs a lot of things to do into each day and you are best served by reading it each evening to be aware of what is happening onboard.
The Cruise Compass is more than just knowing what time bingo is at. It offers you insight into the next day’s weather, which bars will have drink specials, shore excursion information and much more.
Most importantly, there is a chronological listing of events from the early morning to the late evening. Each event has a time, event name, location and possibly brief description listed. There will also be an indication if this event costs extra.
Some events are not repeated while other activities can change daily, so it is in your best interest to track what is happening so you do not miss any of it.
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Royal Caribbean Alcohol Policy
Can I bring drinks on the Royal Caribbean cruise? Generally, alcohol is forbidden on board, following the Royal Caribbean prohibited items policy. However, according to the Royal Caribbean alcohol policy, guests may bring 750 ml bottles of personal wine or champagne on boarding day. If you buy alcohol in a port your ship visits, you can bring it on board, although Royal Caribbean will confiscate it until the last night of the cruise, when it will be returned to you.
The guests are allowed to bring small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages, usually up to 12 soda cans. The cans will have to be inside the carry-on luggage.
How To Pack For A Cruise: Cruise Packing List For Kids
If you really want to enjoy your kids, let them be kids! Pack nice outfits for formal night, but something they can be comfortable in. Pack five or six outfits , two swimsuits, a jacket, sweater or hoodie, and comfortable shoes!
I recommend comfortable sandals with a heal strap like these so they dont slip and fall!
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