What Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

When considering a cruise on Royal Caribbean, one can easily believe that it is an all-inclusive journey. However, it is better to state that it is value-inclusive. This means that despite the fact that majority of the basics are covered in your cruise fare, there are several optional additions that attract additional charges. Making a trip and ensuring that it is successful, it is essential to know what is being proposed at an additional charge.

What Does Your Royal Caribbean Cruise Fare Cover?

The cruise fare is made up of numerous hidden costs on Royal Caribbean cruises that stretch much further than simply transportation. The usual cruise fare includes:

1. Accommodation: There are several types of cabins that a passenger can select, e.g., interior rooms, ocean-view suites, balconies or luxury suites. Every type of cabin is accompanied by daily housekeeping and towel service so that you can be comfortable during your stay.
2. Transportation: The cruise fare is the cost of traveling between certain ports that form part of your chosen itinerary. Such a factor is sufficient to make the process of planning significantly easier, because you will not need to organize your transportation between the destinations on your own.
3. Dining at Select Venues: The cruise includes a great deal of meals. You will be able to have dinner in various free places, including:
4. Main Dining Room: It is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner place, which offers varying menus to address dietary restrictions.
5. Windjammer Cafe: Day time international buffet restaurant.
6. Casual Restaurants: The snacks found in the restaurants include pizza, burgers, and sandwiches which are perfect to eat when you are out and have not taken anything serious.

Is Food Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Yes, Royal Caribbean cruise included food in your cruise cost, and the range of foods and their quality are mind-blowing to most of the travelers. You can also expect to have a variety of places to dine without extra expenses, so you are not limited to a few when you are on a cruise. 

There will be a big variety of food including breakfast to dinner and you will be required to take the choice of food you feel like taking. The Main Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe have a variety of high-quality foods and also have the casual restaurants. Such a setup would allow you to fuel yourself to spend a day doing all sorts without having to worry about the additional costs of food.

Are There Specialty Restaurants That Cost Extra?

Royal Caribbean also has free meals, but it has specialty dining that is also at a fee. These establishments are more aimed at offering a more high-end gastronomic experience with frequently exotic and sophisticated menus. On your menu, you have steakhouse restaurants or Italian, Asian, and seafood cuisines.

Dining at these specialty restaurants will cost the guest per meal or one can have a dining package where the dining package will be more economical when compared to paying per meal.

What Drinks Are Included on Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Keeping hydrated is not a challenge during a cruise on Royal Caribbean, as a variety of Royal Caribbean cruise included drink in your fare. Included Beverages are:

• Water (tap, filtered and ice)
• Regular coffee and tea
• Milk and chocolate milk
• Choose juices at breakfast.
• Lemonade and iced tea

What Drinks Are Not Included?

Although free drinks are offered, most of the famous beverages will require a premium:

• Alcohol (cocktails, beer, and wine).
• Specialty espresso and coffee.
• Smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices.
• Bottled energy and bottled water.

With this in mind, a good number of the guests opt to purchase a beverage package, and in this case, the guests expect to consume alcoholic beverages or specialty beverages frequently.

Should You Buy a Royal Caribbean Drink Package?

Depending on the drinking habits, savings can go a long way in investing in a drink package. The choices that are usually available are:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: This package covers a great range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Refreshment Package: Focuses on the non alcoholic specialty drink.
• Classic Soda Package: It offers access to soda and other bubbly drinks.

When you have a number of specialty drinks within a day, a drink package will tend to be more cost-effective and will enable you to cope with the hidden expenses.

What Entertainment Is Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Entertainment is among the aspects that the Royal Caribbean offers and to a great extent, it comes as a free part of your cruise cost. The entertainment highlights are:

• Broadway-type productions that produce quality performances.
• Live music, DJs, and themed events.
• Onboard experience is contributed with comedy shows, game nights, and ice skating shows.

The majority of performances do not involve using the ticket, but it is possible to make a reservation in order to be sure of your place.

Are Onboard Activities Included?

Royal Caribbean has a lot of signature activities, which are free. There is a wide range of entertainment with this variety. The complementary activities include the following:

• The possibility of access to swimming pools and whirlpools.
• Fitness center and jogging track.
• Most ships have sports courts, mini-golf, and rock-climbing walls.
• Children and teenagers clubs that provide the young passengers with interesting settings.

These free activities are an added extra to your cruise holiday to the extent that families require a variety of activities to ensure that the whole family is kept entertained.

What Activities Cost Extra?

Although there are many free attractions, it does have some premium experiences that cost an extra charge, including:

• Surf simulators that are instructed.
• The availability of swimming pools and whirlpools.
• Gymnasium and running track.
• The majority of the ships feature sports courts, mini-golf and rock-climbing walls.

Provided that you are interested in such additional activities, pre-planning them may prevent the problem of having costs that you had not anticipated.

Are Gratuities Included in the Cruise Fare?

Normally, the gratuities are not included in the basic price of the cruise. They can however be pre-paid before boarding and this would ease the budgeting process. Understanding Gratuities:

• The dining staff, stateroom attendants, and the off-stage crew are all covered by gratuities.
• There are daily charges for services depending on the number of guests, which are prepaid or payable onboard.

These are some of the costs that it is best to think about at the beginning of your plans to avoid such a price in the future.

What About Wi-Fi and Internet Access?

The cruise fare does not usually cover Wi-Fi and internet access. There are, however, a number of Wi-Fi packages you can buy depending on your requirements:

• Substitutes can also be social media packages or complete access to internet streaming and browsing.
• The cost of the cruise is different depending on the duration of the trip and the kind of package.
• Purchasing Wi-Fi onboard can be very expensive, whereas it can be cheaper to book it prior to sailing.

Are Shore Excursions Included?

Ordinarily, shore excursions are not part of the cruise cost and they have to be bought independently. Royal Caribbean has a number of excursions, and they may include guided tours, adventure, and culture. There is the option of an excursion with Royal Caribbean, or explore on your own, depending on the level of comfort, and the itinerary.

What Health and Wellness Services Are Included?

Wellness facilities come in different prices:

Included Services:

1. Access to the fitness center.
2. Choose wellness seminars that may include information about nutrition or fitness ideas.

Extra Cost Services:

1. Spa treatments such as spas and massages.
2. Entry to thermal suites meant to relax.
3. Individual training sessions of personalized fitness instructions.

Are Kids' Programs Included?

Yes, the youth programs of Royal Caribbean are not an exception as they are popular with families. Such programs usually include:

• Particular clubs of age-specific kids, where there are supervised activities and games.
• Events and teen lounges to keep the older children active.
• There are likely to be some minor fee on some of the late-night baby sitting services but most of the activities are free.

What Is Not Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

In a nutshell, there are a number of things that are not included in your base fare that might cause you to pay extra:

1. Specialty beverages and alcohol.
2. Premium experiences other than the free meals.
3. Wi-Fi and internet access.
4. Cruise tours that have to be bought separately.
5. Spa and salon services.
6. Gambling money and professional photographs.

Knowing these exclusions will allow you to have a realistic idea of what your cruise is really going to cost and you will have an opportunity to plan your finances better.

How to Budget Smartly for a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

It is always important to have your vacation within a particular budget and understand the hidden costs on Royal Caribbean reservation to plan your perfect vacation. There are several measures you can follow:

• Prepay gratuity and drink packages to avoid unexpected things.
• Early reservation of Book Wi-Fi and specialty dining save money.
• Check your cruise planner so that you get to know in advance what you would require.
• Onboard Spending Track onboard spending with the mobile app to keep track of your spending.

By planning carefully, you will be able to reduce the number of unpleasant surprises and maximize pleasure.

Conclusion

All in all, a Royal Caribbean cruise is really valuable. These services include accommodation, entertainment, activities, and various food services, and this cruise will attract a large variety of travelers. Knowing what is included, what will be extra and where you are likely to incur an expense under the carpet will enable you to plan without panic. In this manner, you will have a relaxing time on the sea where you will have made some memories. Every trip is something to explore, to relax and a break of routine and thus a worthy investment to many.

Know More:

• Royal Caribbean Senior Discount: Save on Cruises
• Royal Caribbean Cruises: Rules for Pets & Service Animals
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program