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13 Insider Tips From Royal Caribbean Travel Agents You Need to Know

Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise adventure opens the door to a world filled with unexpected delights and hidden opportunities designed to elevate your vacation from memorable to unforgettable.

Although you can book everything entirely online by yourself, there is a network of seasoned Royal Caribbean travel agents, experts in crafting the perfect cruise experience.

Through years of navigating the nuances of cruise planning, these agents have gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks that can make all the difference in your voyage.

It’s a little-known fact among first-time cruisers that these travel agent services, rich with potential to transform your cruise into the trip of a lifetime, come at no extra cost to you.

Their fees are taken care of by Royal Caribbean, allowing you to benefit from their wealth of knowledge without dipping into your vacation fund.

This revelation often surprises new cruisers, who might not realize the full value a travel agent brings to their voyage planning.

With this in mind, we’ve tapped into the expertise of some of the most knowledgeable Royal Caribbean travel specialists to bring you a compilation of must-know secrets.

These insights are not just about making your trip easier; they’re about enhancing every moment aboard and ashore, ensuring that your cruise is as seamless, enjoyable, and rich with experiences as possible.

Table of Contents

Royal Caribbean Travel Agent Tips You Should Know

They Don’t Cost Extra

You may be surprised to know that using many travel agents won’t cost you a dime extra.

Royal Caribbean travel agents get compensated by a commission directly through the cruise line, making them a financially savvy choice, comparable to booking on your own.

That’s right, you get their expertise without any pesky agent-imposed cancellation or change fees.

But just to be on the safe side, always ask if there are any fees associated with their service when you first reach out.

It’s like getting insider access without opening your wallet!

Travel Agents Will Wait On Hold For You

That’s right. No more long wait times to fix any minor inconvenience.

Your travel agent has got your back. They take over the task of communicating directly with Royal Caribbean, sparing you from the long hold times.

Your agent tackles the necessary calls, manages any complications, and ensures your cruise plans are smooth sailing. This leaves you free to enjoy your time however you please.

They Have Access To Exclusive Deals And Amenities

What if I told you that booking through a Royal Caribbean travel agent could unlock exclusive deals and amenities not available to the general public? It’s true.

Travel agents often have access to special rates, onboard credits , and complimentary perks that can enhance your cruise experience significantly.

These can include anything from free Wi-Fi packages to beverage upgrades or even onboard credit to spend as you please.

These exclusive offers are the result of the strong relationships agents build with cruise lines, and their clients are the beneficiaries.

When you book with an agent, you’re not just getting a ticket aboard; you’re potentially unlocking a suite of extras that can make your cruise even more enjoyable and memorable.

They Specialize In Royal Caribbean Specifically

These agents aren’t booking a trip to Europe, a motorcycle trek across Vietnam, and your Royal Caribbean cruise.

No, no, no! There are many travel agents that solely specialize on cruises, and in particular Royal Caribbean.

This specialization comes with some serious perks.

They’re in your corner not only at the moment of booking but throughout the lead-up to your departure.

They vigilantly monitor pricing fluctuations and actively seek out opportunities to enhance your cruise experience—whether it’s by nabbing a discount or securing an upgraded stateroom, their tailored service aims to add value to your trip.

Remember, they want you as a repeat customer (or to recommend their services) so they tend to go above and beyond to keep you happy.

They Are Your Go-To Person

Having a single travel agent partner with you throughout your journey ensures a seamless experience.

It really makes a difference. If you book on your own, and have any inconvenience, you’ll have to use the call center and explain the situation to a different person everytime.

Having just one person handling the issue, and handling the wait-times, makes a huge difference.

They understand your preferences, remember the details of your selections, and are dedicated to making your cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible.

Large Group? They Are Life Savers!

Embarking on a Royal Caribbean cruise with your favorite people might seem like a logistical challenge at first. This is where the magic of a good travel agent comes into play.

They step in as your personal cruise coordinators, dealing with the various preferences and requirements of your group.

Imagine not having to juggle everyone’s cabin types, pricing, or individual payment schedules — your travel agent has it all under control.

Your role shifts to simply amplifying the anticipation for the upcoming voyage among your group, ensuring that the pre-cruise excitement is the only thing you need to manage.

They Can Book (and Help Pick the Best) Shore Excursions

Besides organizing your voyage and on-ship activities, your travel agent extends their expertise to land-based adventures.

They’ve often journeyed to many of the destinations you’re eager to explore and possess insider knowledge not just of Royal Caribbean’s arrangements but also those crafted by independents.

They get the honest feedback from past clients so they know which excursions are a must and which are a bust.

With their wealth of experience, they can sift through choices, helping you discover excursions that truly resonate with your interests.

They Have a Direct Line to Royal Caribbean

In the rare event that something goes awry or you have a very specific request, travel agents have a direct line to Royal Caribbean.

This means they can resolve issues, make special requests on your behalf, or even snag last-minute upgrades and changes that would be nearly impossible through regular channels.

Their direct contacts within the cruise line mean your requests are more likely to be heard and addressed quickly.

This insider access is invaluable, especially when you want to personalize your cruise experience or address any concerns directly with the cruise line.

Your Battles Are Their Battles

Imagine you’re gearing up for a long-awaited cruise and suddenly you hit a snag. It’s comforting to know that you have a champion in your corner—that’s your travel agent.

Like a knight in shining armor, they’ll be on call to tackle any hitches with your Royal Caribbean cruise. Whether it’s before you sail off into the sunset or amidst your voyaging, a hiccup could happen.

This can range from minor booking blips to more pressing concerns.

Your travel agent steps up to smooth out these wrinkles. They don’t just patch up the situation; they go the extra mile to ensure you’re smiling again.

And should the slip-up be the cruise line’s, your agent excels in securing compensation for your troubles. Remember, they’re not just bookers; they’re your personal advocates at sea and ashore.

They’re TRAINED By Royal Caribbean Themselves

In the ever-evolving world of Royal Caribbean cruises, you might marvel at the depth of knowledge your travel agent possesses.

They aren’t just cruise lovers; they’re trained professionals who continually update their expertise. Imagine them as students whose classroom is the very ships you dream of vacationing on—they regularly participate in ship tours to grasp the nuances of each vessel.

Not just confined to one brand, they even study the offerings of other cruise lines, giving them a rounded perspective on where Royal Caribbean fits within the sea of options.

Their education is ceaseless, and this turns them into encyclopedias of cruising, ready to sketch out a comprehensive picture of vacation choices tailored just for you.

Everything Is Personalized

When you choose to work with a specialized Royal Caribbean travel agent, you’re investing in a seamless vacation-planning partnership.

As you embark on more cruises, your travel agent becomes attuned to your cruising preferences.

Think of them as a friend who remembers whether you favor a bustling deck or a quiet balcony retreat, a specific dining setup, or particular onboard activities.

This intimate knowledge transcends into efficient and tailored booking experiences.

No more repeating your needs during every call—it’s all recognized and anticipated by your agent, allowing for a straightforward and quick reservation process.

This personal touch adds a layer of convenience to your cruise planning, turning it into an effortless endeavor that enriches your holiday from the very start.

They Provide Stress-Free Payment Plans

Planning a cruise vacation can be a significant financial commitment, but working with a travel agent can make it more manageable.

Many travel agents offer the convenience of stress-free payment plans, allowing you to break down the cost of your cruise into smaller, more manageable installments.

This service can make budgeting for your vacation easier, giving you more flexibility in managing your finances without sacrificing the quality of your cruise experience.

By offering personalized payment solutions, travel agents ensure that your dream cruise is within reach, letting you focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure without the burden of financial strain.

Post-Cruise Support: Your Advocate Even After Disembarkation

Even after your cruise has concluded, the service and support from your Royal Caribbean travel agent don’t end.

Should you encounter any post-voyage concerns, such as discrepancies with billing, feedback you wish to share with the cruise line, or questions about loyalty program benefits you earned during your trip, your travel agent is there to assist.

They act as your advocate, liaising with Royal Caribbean to resolve any issues swiftly and satisfactorily. This level of post-cruise support ensures that your entire experience, from planning to reflection, is stress-free and enjoyable.

Having a professional in your corner who is dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction beyond the cruise itself adds an invaluable layer of service that booking platforms simply can’t match.

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35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

Want to impress your traveling companions the next time you cruise with Royal Caribbean ? Take a scroll through our ultimate list of Royal Caribbean cruise tips, tricks and hacks in the story below — 35 in all!

These are specific Royal Caribbean cruise tips that will save you money and time, and let you maximize the experience both on board the vessels and during port calls.

Got a great Royal Caribbean cruise tip of your own that's not included here? Email us at [email protected]. You might find your tip included in a future update of this guide!

Here, our 35 best tips and tricks for getting the most from your Royal Caribbean cruise.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Use a travel agent to book

We put this tip first for a reason. In our book, reaching out to a travel agent who knows the Royal Caribbean brand is the first thing you need to do when planning a cruise with the line.

Sure, you can book a Royal Caribbean cruise on your own, directly through the line's website. But given that you must make many decisions during the booking process, it can pay to use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises to help you arrange things. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect Royal Caribbean ship, itinerary and cabin for you. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage.

In addition, travel agents often can get you extra onboard credit and other perks on Royal Caribbean ships that you might not be able to get by booking directly with the line.

Related: Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes

Book as early as possible

Like many cruise lines these days, Royal Caribbean often offers its best pricing for any given cruise at the moment the sailing opens for booking. Then, as the cruise starts filling up, the line will slowly raise prices for the remaining inventory of cabins.

To get the best price on any particular sailing, you should book right when the voyage opens for sale. This means planning far in advance, as many Royal Caribbean sailings will open for reservations around two years before the trips are scheduled to take place.

Booking far in advance can pay off in more ways than one. One big advantage to booking ahead of time is that you're more likely to get the exact cabin type you want. On many Royal Caribbean ships, the least expensive cabins and most expensive suites often sell out quickly.

Worried you might miss out on a deal by booking a cruise far in advance? Here's the good news: If the cost of your cruise drops at a later date, you can usually get your fare reduced to match the lower price. You can renegotiate the price until you've paid in full for the cruise; that final payment is typically due a few months prior to the sail date.

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

Book off-season for the best deal

As is the case for resorts on land, the floating resorts that are Royal Caribbean ships can be significantly less expensive during the "offseason" travel months of September, October and November.

These are months when kids are typically back in school and family travel — a huge market for Royal Caribbean — drops off significantly, resulting in diminished demand for the line's ships. In the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it's also hurricane season , which keeps some people away from both land resorts and cruise ships in the region.

In addition to the fall months, the offseason period for Royal Caribbean cruises generally includes parts of January and February, but it varies by region. Traditionally, the summer months of June, July and August are considered to be the high season in many cruise destinations like the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. The periods around major holidays — such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day — also are considered the busy season for cruising and bring higher prices.

Related: 6 secrets to getting a deal on a cruise

Don't miss your shareholder's benefits

Do you own stock in Royal Caribbean's parent company, the Royal Caribbean Group? If so, you may qualify for an enticing perk — free onboard credit!

Any shareholder with a minimum of 100 shares at the time of sailing is eligible for an onboard credit of $250 per stateroom for sailings of 14 or more nights, $100 on sailings of six to 13 nights and $50 on sailings of five or fewer nights.

The only major caveat: Sailings on chartered cruises on Royal Caribbean ships, such as full-ship theme cruises, are excluded.

You may request the nontransferable credit each time you cruise. The credit applies only to the stateroom where the shareholder is staying and is based on double occupancy. If shares are held jointly, and you are booking more than one stateroom, 100 shares are required for each stateroom (based on one credit per shareholder per sailing and double occupancy). Single guests would have to pay 200% of the fare to receive the offer.

Note that the credit can't be used for the daily service charges levied on Royal Caribbean ships. It also can't be used for activities you pay for prior to sailing, as it won't be applied to your account until you board.

Related: TPG's guide to cruise shareholder benefits

Pre-book dining, drinks and internet packages

You'll get the best price on dining and beverage packages if you book them in advance of your cruise. This is because Royal Caribbean often runs online sales on these packages in the months leading up to a voyage.

Once you're on board a Royal Caribbean ship, you'll find that packages for dining, drinks and internet will be higher than what you could have paid in advance.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

And book your entertainment in advance, too

When sailing on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, you also can use the line's online portal or app to pre-book shows in advance. We're talking about the Broadway musicals and ice shows found on these vessels.

This is important to do if you want to be sure to get a seat for a specific show on a specific night. Given the many thousands of people on these ships on any given sailing, it's not uncommon to find that some shows book up in advance.

Note that Royal Caribbean shows don't come with a charge, nor is there a fee to reserve a spot in the audience. It won't cost you anything to snag a seat to one of the shows in advance when you can. If you change your mind once on board, you can give up your seat without penalty.

If you don't sign up for shows in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. Alternatively, you can wait in a standby line at onboard theaters on show nights. If some people with reservations don't show up (something that happens often), the gatekeepers will let people without reservations in on a first-come, first-served basis.

Make reservations for My Time Dining

Here is yet one more tip about making reservations in advance: If you're signing up for My Time Dining on a Royal Caribbean ship — the type of dining where you can eat in the main dining room whenever you want — you'll have an easier time getting seated at the time you want if you make a reservation in advance.

In other words, don't just show up at the main dining room without a reservation assuming that there will be a table ready for you and your traveling companions. Either make reservations for My Time Dining dinner times before you sail (again, through Royal Caribbean's online portal) or after you board but before you plan to head to the dining room. The earlier you can make reservations for the time slot you want, the better.

Reservations for dinner in the main dining room on Royal Caribbean ships are particularly important if you want to dine during the busiest times, which typically are between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the line's ships.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Sign those waivers in advance

While you're booking restaurant reservations in advance at Royal Caribbean's online portal, it's a good idea to also sign a waiver for any onboard activities that you'd like to try that require one, such as the zip lines found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. If you do this in advance of sailing, you can jump right into onboard activities as soon as you board the ship.

Consider travel insurance

It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising — or any sort of travel. We hate to even bring it up, but you might need to cancel your Royal Caribbean cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness. Or, maybe you'll fall ill during the trip and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled and you miss the vessel's departure.

These sorts of things happen all the time to cruisers, and they're all the sort of situations where you might benefit from having travel insurance. Here's a comparison of the top travel insurance providers and information about Cancel for Any Reason add-ons .

Related: The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises

Fly to your cruise port a day or two early

This may be the most important piece of cruise advice you'll read in this entire story. Seriously. Take it to heart, or you may end up missing your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you might think.

Many Royal Caribbean cruises depart in the afternoon, so it might seem fine to fly to a port on the morning of departure. But all it takes is a moderate flight delay to upset those plans. If you're delayed in your arrival at the port, the ship will not wait for you.

Book your flights to arrive the day before your cruise to build wiggle room into your travel schedule should something go wrong. Make the most of your overnight by exploring a little in the departure port city before you board the ship.

If you're traveling overseas for a cruise, we recommend traveling to the port two or even three days in advance. Not only will you ensure that you don't miss the ship, but you'll also have time to recover from jet lag. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins.

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship

Check in as early as possible

Check-in for Royal Caribbean sailings can open as far as 45 days in advance, and it pays to go through the check-in process as early as you can. That's because early birds in the check-in process have their pick of arrival times at the ship.

That's right, you now have to pick an arrival time when heading to a Royal Caribbean ship, and passengers who check in early get the widest array of arrival slots from which to choose. If you check in far in advance, you'll probably find the earliest arrival slots still open. If you wait, you might only find late afternoon arrival slots still available.

Getting an early arrival slot means that you can board the ship earlier than other cruisers and have more time to enjoy its attractions before sailaway.

Join a Facebook group

A great place to get ideas for what to do on Royal Caribbean ships and in the ports they visit — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to Royal Caribbean in particular or to cruising in general.

Our cruise team at TPG belongs to a number of them, including the Royal Caribbean Cruises group and the COPs (Cruisers Opinion Page) group, for instance, and we love talking tips with their members. You'll find thousands of cruise fans on these pages who often are more than willing to answer questions about their favorite Royal Caribbean ships, the line's itineraries and activities in the ports of call.

Pack your bathing suit in your carry-on

When you first arrive at a Royal Caribbean ship, you'll be greeted by porters who will whisk away your luggage. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. This is a great convenience, as there's no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. But it also means you might not have access to your luggage for many hours on your first day on board.

Be sure to pack anything you might need for the first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. This means things like medication, for sure, and a phone charger, but also a bathing suit, hat, sunscreen and other items that will let you head straight to the pool deck to start the fun.

Related: 13 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag

Don't overpack

Throw all the clothes you think you'll need for a Royal Caribbean cruise in a pile, and then take away half of them. You won't need them. Trust us.

Royal Caribbean cruises these days are relatively casual, save for occasional dress-up nights, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage. For starters, people won't notice if you wear the same thing two days in a row. And, even if they do, you'll probably never see any of them again, so it doesn't matter what they think.

Meanwhile, if things get too dirty to wear, it's no problem. Royal Caribbean ships offer laundry and dry cleaning services that will get your clothes cleaned quickly for a nominal fee. (Unlike some lines, Royal Caribbean doesn't build self-service launderettes onto its ships, which we find a bit annoying.)

Specifically, you'll currently pay $3.49 to send out a T-shirt for washing and folding on a Royal Caribbean ship, or $4.99 for a long-sleeve shirt. Getting shorts washed and folded will set you back $4.49. The line's ships also will wash an entire load of your laundry (whatever you can fit into a bag) for a flat fee of $34.99, sometimes less when they run onboard specials.

Bottom line: To us, at least, the extra cost of sending out a few shirts or even a full load of laundry for cleaning on a Royal Caribbean ship is a small price to pay for the freedom of not having to lug a giant suitcase around as you travel to and from your ship. Plus, you'll want to save room in your suitcase for all the souvenirs you'll want to bring home from your travels.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry service

Bring your own drinks on board

Many cruisers assume they can't bring their own drinks on board a ship. And at some lines that is, indeed, the rule. But Royal Caribbean is one line that allows passengers to bring their own drinks on ships — albeit in small amounts. It's one way to save money when cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship, as drink prices on the line's vessels can be high.

The bring-your-own beverages allowance on Royal Caribbean ships currently is two bottles of wine or Champagne per cabin at boarding, plus up to a dozen standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks.

Related: Are drinks packages on cruise ships worth it? A line-by-line guide

Bring extra toiletries

Yes, you'll be able to find sunscreen, painkillers and Band-Aids on Royal Caribbean ships. But it'll cost you. The line knows you're a captive audience and prices its shipboard stores accordingly.

We recommend always cruising with a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines in your suitcase that contains cold medicine, seasickness pills and the like. You'll probably never use it. But you also won't get hit with crazy charges should you develop a headache and desperately need ibuprofen.

While we're on the topic of sundries, don't forget extra batteries or memory cards for your camera if you are bringing one.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Bring these six other things, too

In addition to extra toiletries, Royal Caribbean regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions). Many Royal Caribbean cruisers also won't head to a ship without room freshener, a foldable shoe rack (which they hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries), a highlighter (to highlight activities on the daily planner) and a lanyard (to hold their cabin keycard).

Some Royal Caribbean cruisers also swear by bringing magnets to ships to affix dinner invitations, excursion tickets and other important papers to their cabin walls. Walls on Royal Caribbean ships are made with metal (even if they don't look like they're made of metal, thanks to faux coverings) and will hold a magnet. Some cruisers even bring magnets with hooks so they can hang up clothes and other items on their walls.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruises and itineraries

Skip the buffet on your first day on board

There's nothing more jammed than a Royal Caribbean ship buffet on embarkation day. Everybody heads straight to it after they board.

Our Royal Caribbean cruise hack: To avoid the first-day buffet crowds, make a beeline to one of the secondary dining options that typically aren't nearly as crowded. Depending on which type of Royal Caribbean ship you are on, this could be the Sorrentos pizza outlets found in ship promenades, Park Cafe (found in the Central Park area of Oasis-class ships) or Cafe @ Two70 (found on Quantum-class ships).

Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime

Try the marquee attractions on departure day

If Royal Caribbean ships are known for anything, it is their marquee deck-top attractions — giant waterslides, surfing simulators, climbing walls and skydiving tubes, to name a few. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have bumper car pavilions.

To make the most of these activities, head straight to them on the first day of your sailing. You'll often find that they are less crowded on embarkation day, when many cruisers still are getting oriented, than later in the sailing, when the attractions have been widely discovered.

With so much to do on board, you'll have a better shot at sampling all the top Royal Caribbean cruise ship attractions if you get started early.

Related: 27 cruise ship embarkation day do's and don'ts

Watch sailaway from this secret spot

On roughly half of Royal Caribbean's ships, you should be able to watch the ship sail away from port from an amazing location that normally isn't open to passengers: the helipad on the bow.

Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels. It offers a truly wonderful vantage point. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. It's not always open the rest of the cruise.

To reach the helipad on these ships, head to the promenade deck (the deck where there is an outside walking area) and walk toward the front of the ship until you reach the helipad area.

More cruise tips: 21 things you should do to make your first cruise go smoothly

Research ports in advance

There are some types of vacations — a beach trip, for instance — where you don't have to do much advance research. You just show up and have fun. Cruises aren't this way — at least if you want to get the most out of them.

Even if you think the biggest allure of your Royal Caribbean cruise will be the amenities you'll find on your ship, you'll still be facing several days of port calls on many sailings. You'll want to have a plan for what to do in these ports in advance or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience.

In general cruise calls are short — often just six to eight hours. So, you'll probably want to pick one or two things that you want to do during your time at the destination.

To make the most of your time, book an organized tour and let someone else get you to the destination's top attractions and back in a timely manner. But you also might find it works perfectly fine to go it alone. The trick is to do the research in advance, so you have a plan for the best way to spend your day.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship

Use your onboard package perks at CocoCay

Good news if you've bought one of those drinks or Wi-Fi packages we mentioned above. They don't just apply when you're on your Royal Caribbean ship. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

If you've purchased a drinks package, you won't need to pay extra for sodas, beer or frozen cocktails when you're thirsty on the beach. The island is outfitted for Wi-Fi access, so you can use your shipboard internet package to stay in touch or post photos of your day on social media without extra fees.

This isn't always the case when visiting cruise line private islands. And it's no small thing, given that CocoCay is a marquee stop on a significant number of Royal Caribbean voyages to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Related: How to visit Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay on zero dollars

Get free breakfast at Johnny Rockets

Many Royal Caribbean ships feature Johnny Rockets eateries serving the chain's signature burgers and shakes. Meals there are not free; they come with an extra charge. But there's an exception: The Johnny Rockets venues on Royal Caribbean's five Oasis-class ships offer breakfast for free.

Even better, Johnny Rockets outlets on Oasis-class ships (located in the Boardwalk amusement area) typically aren't crowded at breakfast time, in part because many people don't realize they're open.

Related: The 6 types of Royal Caribbean ships, explained

Eat at the extra-charge restaurants at lunchtime

Royal Caribbean ships have some wonderful extra-charge restaurants that you might want to try, such as the signature Chops Grille steakhouses found on many vessels. But they can come with a hefty extra charge.

One way to save: Book these venues for lunch instead of dinner. The flat-fee extra charge is typically half as much as the cost of going at dinnertime.

The Chops Grille eateries, for instance, recently were priced at a fee of $55 per person for dinner, while visiting at lunchtime only would set you back $25 per person.

Know your loyalty benefits

Royal Caribbean offers some enticing onboard perks to its most loyal customers, including free drinks, free internet time, access to an exclusive Diamond Club on select ships, a complimentary entertainment tour and, at the highest level, daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant. But it's easy to miss out on these perks if you're not aware of what you can get.

Be sure to read through TPG's ultimate guide to maximizing your status in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program to know all of the many perks you'll be able to get depending on how many points you've accumulated.

Sign up for private tours

Booking a shore excursion directly through Royal Caribbean is easy. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — your tour is all arranged.

But booking tours through the line isn't your only option, and it's not always the best option. In many cases, you can save a lot of money — and get a better touring experience — by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals .

Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through Royal Caribbean. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator.

Independent tours also can take you to places that Royal Caribbean-organized tours don't. Plus, they often come with excellent service. ToursByLocals has staff on hand around-the-clock to respond to questions, and — for those worried about missing your ship — they offer a return-to-ship guarantee with every tour.

Related: Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

Always carry Royal Caribbean's contact information with you

When going ashore, always bring your Royal Caribbean ship's contact information with you. Those details are usually printed in the Cruise Compass newsletter that's delivered to your cabin each night. If something goes wrong when you're away from the ship, you'll want to get in contact with the cruise line right away.

The newsletter should also list contact information for the port agent in every destination you visit. Should you have a problem in port and not make it back to the ship before it sails, the agent can help you figure out next steps.

Keep your phone in airplane mode

Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories you'll find on the internet are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. Many phone plans — even international plans — do not include talking, texting and data on cruise ships, and you'll pay exorbitant roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill.

There is a way to make calls and access the internet from Royal Caribbean ships without spending a boatload of money. You can buy a Wi-Fi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

Download Royal Caribbean's app

If you're planning a Royal Caribbean cruise and you haven't already downloaded Royal Caribbean's app to your smartphone, do it now. Really, right now. We'll wait.

Okay, got it downloaded? This is no small thing. Royal Caribbean is increasingly putting everything you need to know about your cruise on its app, and it's also the place where you can check in for your cruise in advance — and have your boarding pass accessible at all times.

The Royal Caribbean app allows you to make all sorts of reservations for onboard venues including restaurants and shows, and you can book shore excursions through it, too. You'll also find a comprehensive daily schedule of activities on the app as well as menus for restaurants. The best part: The app will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package.

Related: The best cruise apps to streamline your vacation at sea

Don't book a cabin near an elevator

Not every cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship is created equal. When choosing a room, we recommend staying away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. They can be noisy. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic, as well as cabins near casinos.

Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid

Use a points card for onboard spending

You saw this one coming, no? Given TPG's origins as a points and miles website , we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you to maximize your credit card points while making purchases on Royal Caribbean ships. The way to do this is to tie a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases to your onboard account. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Don't tip twice for drinks and spa treatments

Royal Caribbean automatically adds an 18% gratuity to bar bills and minibar items, as well as spa and salon purchases. Many first-time cruisers don't know this and write in a hefty tip at the "additional tip" line on bills at cruise ship bars and spas. If you're unsure, ask if a gratuity has already been included before adding another 15% or 20% to the total. Otherwise, you may end up tipping twice.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship

Don't feel like you have to do it all

Royal Caribbean ships are known for having some of the biggest arrays of activities and entertainment at sea — so many options that it's sometimes hard to do it all in a single voyage. Our advice: Don't even try to do it all. In fact, you should force yourself to try not to do it all. Remember, you're on vacation. Relax. Take some downtime. Sit on your balcony, if you have one, and just stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours. You won't regret it.

Related: 26 cruise secrets from an expert that will blow your mind

Use points to get to your cruise

There are ways to use points and miles to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, but it doesn't always make sense , as it often requires a huge number of points to secure a cabin. That said, that doesn't mean you can't save big time by booking your flights to and from a ship using points and miles .

You'll find plenty of stories here at The Points Guy about how to, say, pay the equivalent of $1,330 in points for a flight that cost $16,000 , or book a $27,000 around-the-world trip for just $168 in out-of-pocket costs . Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again.

Book your next cruise while still on board your current cruise

Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship. At Royal Caribbean, it's called the NextCruise program, and the bonus could include up to $600 in onboard credits for the next cruise that you book and up to 10% off shore excursions on the sailing. You also might only have to put down a reduced deposit of as little as $100 per person to hold the sailing.

The good news is these bonuses are in addition to whatever perks you already would be getting for booking another trip as a result of your Crown & Anchor Society status. If you normally use a travel agent to book your cruises, don't worry about not being able to work with them. Your travel agent will get full credit when you book another sailing while on board a Royal Caribbean ship and can take over the booking later.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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The Best Ways to Book a Cruise

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Not all cruise sites are created equal. While you may find comparable prices on different sites, each site has its own benefits, offers and cancellation policies. 

Before you book, though, have a look at these credit cards that come with cruise benefits to sweeten the pot even more.

What is the best way to book a cruise?

The best place to book a cruise will vary depending on what you're looking for out of the experience. We've broken out cruise booking sites based on common booking goals.

From our findings, here are the top cruise booking sites for your next vacation, plus the pros and cons they offer travelers.

For sailings across the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America: CheapCaribbean

CheapCaribbean.com is the best cruise website for the Caribbean, Mexico or Central America. It offers a best-price guarantee plus limited-time offers and discounts.

If you find a better deal within 24 hours of booking, CheapCaribbean will price match and beat it by $25. The company's customer service is available seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Best-price guarantee.

Customer service is available seven days a week.

Charges a $24.99 processing fee on reservations.

Must provide an email address to receive the best deals and promos.

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

For consulting reviews from other cruisers: Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is an independent website that encourages community members to post reviews and share tips.

Its message boards offer ways for website visitors to ask questions and share feedback with others based on their personal experiences and opinions. The site also acts as a metasearch for cruise deals, pulling in prices from multiple cruise websites.

Read cruise reviews from travelers who've been on that itinerary before.

"Deal Score" ranks deals to find the best value.

Price tracker shows 90-day trends for cruise prices.

Must click through the deal to book your cruise on other websites.

Prices are not guaranteed and can change before booking due to fees and restrictions on the sites where the cruises are being sold.

To review several cruise prices at once: CruiseDirect

CruiseDirect is the best cruise website when all you want are cruise prices. It doesn't offer hotels, flights, rental cars or other reservations you may want for your next vacation. CruiseDirect does, however, offer bonuses for travelers booking through its site.

Travelers can filter search results by destination, cruise line or departure port on various ships. This site offers cruises for every type of traveler, from budget to luxury, and every type of ship, from riverboats to mega-ships.

Bonus offers on every reservation provide extra value.

Best-price guarantee and free reservation holds.

Buy now, pay later financing options.

Promos offered by cruise lines aren't exclusive to CruiseDirect.

Customer service can be unfriendly.

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

For budget-friendly options: Priceline

Priceline was originally known for its "Name Your Own Price" promotions, but has grown into a full-service online travel agency offering flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises, saving consumers more than $1 billion dollars per year.

Travelers who book a cruise with Priceline receive up to $2,000 to spend at sea, plus waived deposits on their reservations.

Up to $2,000 to spend on board.

Waived deposits of up to $500 when booking your cruise.

110% best-price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Ability to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more from the same site.

Must call Priceline to get exclusive offers and unpublished fares.

Restrictions make the best-price guarantee harder to benefit from.

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best cruise deals

For booking travel experiences beyond the cruise: TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is an online reviewer community where travelers share their experiences, pictures and ratings of hotels, suggested activities and more. This honest feedback and travel inspiration also make it one of the best websites to book a cruise.

Search over 70,000 cruise deals from more than 60 sites at once.

Dedicated ship pages share details, reviews, photos and itineraries.

Too many search results make it harder to narrow down your choices.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

To match with a vacation planner: Avoya Travel

Avoya Travel is a family-owned website that matches travelers with a vacation planner based on their preferences. It's the best way to book a cruise using a travel planner because it offers a low-price guarantee without charging extra fees for the planner.

The downside is that online pricing is not "live." Therefore, you must speak with a travel planner to get the latest prices and book your cruise.

Match with cruise planners according to your needs.

Does not charge Avoya fees for booking, changes or cancellations.

Get a low-price guarantee and the expertise of a vacation planner without extra fees.

Must become a member to unlock the best deals.

Pricing on the website is not "live" pricing, so actual cost may vary.

Cannot book a cruise online. You must speak with an independent vacation planner.

» Learn more: The best cruise insurance right now

To book a vacation package with an airline or hotel

American airlines cruises.

American Airlines AAdvantage members can earn airline miles when booking cruises at BookAACruises.com . All members earn one mile for every dollar they spend on cruise reservations, up to 10,000 miles. Some cruise specials offer up to 100,000 miles based on your selected cruise.

If you have an American Airlines credit card, you'll earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles. These miles and Loyalty Points count toward airline elite status. Additionally, trips booked through this site are eligible for promotions offered by the cruise lines.

Earn miles and Loyalty Points toward travel and elite status.

Cardholders earn 2x miles, up to 20,000 miles on cruises.

Cruise experts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cruise reservations are offered by a third party, so customer service issues can be a challenge.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Delta SkyMiles Cruises

Delta Air Lines is another airline that allows members to earn airline miles when booking cruises through its portal. Booking through SkyMilesCruises.com helps you earn Delta SkyMiles on your purchase.

Members get up to 10,000 miles on most cruises and up to 100,000 miles on luxury cruises. Plus, the site waives deposits on eligible cruise reservations.

Can earn up to 100,000 miles when booking a cruise.

Waives deposits when booking eligible cruises.

110% price guarantee within 48 hours of booking.

Most cruise awards are capped at 10,000 miles.

Miles earned are based on the length of the cruise, not the amount spent.

United Airlines Cruises

United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com .

When you have a United Airlines credit card, you'll earn up to 45,000 miles. By offering up to 4x miles per dollar spent (or 7x as a cardholder), this site is the best way to book a cruise and earn airline miles on your purchase. If you have Premier status, you receive additional perks on select cruise lines, like wine and onboard credits.

Earn up to 7x miles on cruises.

United MileagePlus Premier members receive additional perks.

Can redeem miles to pay for some or all of your trip.

Not all cruises can be booked online.

Prices do not include a nonrefundable $24.99 processing fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruises

If you want to earn hotel points on your cruise, Marriott Cruise with Points is the best cruise website for you. You'll earn up to 6x points on your cruise purchase, or you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for your trip.

Plus, Marriott cardholders can earn an extra 2x points when they use that card for their purchase. While most cruises max out at 25,000 Bonvoy points earned, some luxury cruise lines offer up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Earn up to 6x points on your cruise, up to 250,000 Marriott points.

Marriott cardholders receive an extra 2x points when paying with their cards.

Can use Bonvoy points to pay for your cruise.

Redemption value of Bonvoy points is only 0.4 cent.

Must call to book cruises using points.

Processing fee of $24.99 per reservation.

» Learn more: Airline credit cards vs. hotel credit cards

For cruise package deals: Costco Travel

Costco is a retailer that offers exclusive products and pricing to its members. Through its Costco Travel website , members receive exclusive prices and benefits when booking hotels, rental cars, cruises and travel packages.

Executive Members earn 2% back on Costco Travel purchases and receive additional benefits on select packages. Plus, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases.

Earn 2% rewards and extra perks with Executive Membership.

Some cruises offer Costco gift cards or onboard credit.

Must be a member to book reservations with Costco Travel.

Directly with the Cruise Line

In some cases, booking directly with the cruise line can be best because it eliminates a third party. If there's a problem with your reservation or you need to make a change, you don't have to worry about the booking site and the cruise line pointing fingers at each other.

This may be the best approach if you know which cruise line you want to book and which cities you want to visit. However, you may miss out on promotions offered by third-party sites.

Simple search functions.

No hassles with third parties for problems, changes or cancellations.

Less likely to get scammed by fraudulent sites.

Miss out on deals offered by third-party sites.

Harder to compare prices, benefits and routes from multiple cruise lines.

Comparing cruise prices across websites

Without being able to compare prices, it can be a challenge to determine the best site for booking a cruise. To make it easier to compare, we priced out a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults. 

We selected the lowest-priced balcony room on Royal Caribbean departing from Miami in August 2023. Here are the results:

Mitigate cancellation policy risks with travel insurance

If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings.

But you might not even need to pay out-of-pocket for trip insurance because many credit cards offer travel insurance as a built-in benefit to customers who pay for travel expenses on that card.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for cruises

Travel cards with cruise benefits

You can get even more perks by booking your cruise with the right card.

on Chase's website

on Bank of America's website

on American Express' website

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Get 25% more value out of your points when you book cruises through Chase.

Book with your card to get automatic travel protections for your cruise.

Redeem miles as a statement credit to cover spending on cruises.

Book with your card to get automatic travel insurance coverage for your cruise.

Earn 2x points on travel spending, including cruises and some ship excursions.

Book with your card to get trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation coverage and other travel assistance services.

Get American Express Cruise Privileges Program benefits when you book at least five nights with eligible cruise lines. Terms apply.

Cruise program benefits include $300 credit redeemable toward dining and spa services plus amenities like wine, chocolates and champagne. Terms apply.

Booking a cruise recapped

When looking for the best way to book a cruise, the price is virtually the same on every website. The difference lies in how each seller sweetens the deal.

Several cruise booking sites set themselves apart from the competition by offering additional benefits to encourage booking through them. Additionally, being able to book other parts of your trip — like flight and excursions — on the same site, or offering access to a travel agent, distinguishes some of the best cruise websites. 

When prices are the same, we recommend cruise bookers compare the perks being offered, then book on the site with the most appealing bonuses, like onboard credits, airline miles, hotel points or cash back.

If you're searching for cruises on a third-party website, you may question the legitimacy of that site. This is especially true if the site doesn't look professional or some of the information is outdated.

For this reason, you should stick with one of the best cruise booking sites on this list because they've been vetted for legitimacy and have a good track record with travelers.

Yes, last-minute deals can be the best way to book a cruise. If your travel plans are flexible, these deals can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that you may not be able to book your preferred destination or routing if it is sold out.

Unfortunately, most cruise lines do not offer free cancellations or changes to take advantage of price drops after you book. Passengers can always negotiate with a booking site or cruise line, but they aren't obligated to refund the difference. Instead, they may offer you onboard credit, complimentary excursions or credit toward another cruise booking.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Destination Magic

Call 855-45MAGIC

(855-456-2442)

We are Disney travel planning experts specializing in creating stress-free vacations to magical destinations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Adventures By Disney. Plus, Universal Studios, Cruises, Caribbean, Hawaii, and more!

Get up to a $200 gift card with promo code HAPPY24. Click to learn more.

Come seek the royal caribbean with royal caribbean cruises.

DESTINATION MAGIC is a boutique travel agency comprised of expert Royal Caribbean vacation planners. Our booking services are 100% FREE, plus , you will get FREE MONEY to spend on your cruise!

Ask us About Special Offers for Latest Cruise Deals from Royal Caribbean

We Plan Simply Magical Vacations

DESTINATION MAGIC is a boutique travel agency comprised of expert vacation planners we call Magic Makers . Our experts are highly experienced Royal Caribbean travel agent specialists eager to help you plan and book the best Cruise possible. Our booking services are 100% FREE, plus , you will get FREE MONEY to spend on your cruise!

Simply Magical Vacations means that we make your vacation planning easy so you can begin enjoying your vacation before it even starts. As your vacation planner, we take the planning burden off you so you can relax.

Top 5 reasons to choose Destination Magic

CONVENIENCE

We take the stress out of booking your vacation.

As a Royal Caribbean Vacation Planner, we make it easy for you to plan a perfect cruise.

We are expert Royal Caribbean travel agents, and will help you plan a magical cruise.

We offer all available Royal Caribbean deals so you can be assured you will always get the best price available—even after you have booked.

Our booking services are 100% FREE! PLUS, we offer FREE ONBOARD CREDIT as our gift for booking with us.

Whether you book a Royal Caribbean vacation package, a Hawaiian honeymoon, or a solo cruise for quality me time, you will receive the highest level of attention and customer service. We are more than cruise travel agents—we are vested in your vacation.

Take the next step to a Royal Caribbean vacation.

Enter your name and email address and we’ll send you our FREE, printable vacation planning organizer. The easiest way to plan any vacation.

BONUS Disney planning pages included, FREE!

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Rookie Moms

Pregnancy > Parenthood

Using a Travel Agent for a Royal Caribbean Cruise… Is it Worth it?

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Cruises are probably my favorite vacations. I just love traveling to different destinations and then coming back to one place for an amazing dinner some great shows and then having days relaxing at sea. It’s definitely something my family and I have loved doing for the past 15 years.

Now, let’s chat about the thing I don’t love, booking and planning for the cruise. I am sorry, but it’s A LOT of work and if it’s your first few cruises on Royal Caribbean, it can also be a bit overwhelming. (by a bit, I mean very overwhelming)

You would think, as I did, how hard can it be. All you have to do is choose a cruise and choose a room. Everything else is provided by the cruise…….Sure, but then you also have to….

• Know if you want upgraded dining
• Know which restaurants to book
• Figure out if you want my time dining or a set dining time.
• Figure out what the heck is “my time” dining
• Know which excursions to plan.
• Know which deck you should choose your room on, because let me tell you it matters (tip, front of the ship does rock more)
• Know to reserve show times in advance.
• Figure out the drink package options
• Don’t forget about the internet packages.
• Figuring out how to use the royal carbbian cruise app
• Plus a million other questions……. it’s honestly endless.

It’s pretty much a full time job, plus add on my real job and oh yeah the responsibilities of raising my kids and putting food on the table.

A few years back, I decided it was time to pass the torch and get some expert help. To my surprise, I learned that travel agents were absolutely FREE! If only I had known earlier, I would’ve saved myself a lot of time and stress. (Update, I got several emails from travel agents that do charge fees, so I guess some do, but the travel agency I use doesn’t, so there you go)

My First Royal Caribbean Cruise Travel Agent Experience

Like I said, I decided to use a travel agent, I did a little google search and I reached out to 4 or 5 travel agencies, only one replied and all they did was send me a quote and that was about it. I was pretty disappointed. I did not really see the benefit of using a travel agent.

My Co-worker insisted I use her agent

I was about to go back to just booking on my own and then one of my coworkers absolutely recommended her travel agent and said “it’s life changing” She is a bit on the dramatic side so I was a bit skeptical.

I reached out (I think it was through their website) and well within minutes, I had a feeling that she might have not been exaggerating. I received a response within probably 20 minutes and I think it was on a random weeknight.

A Surprisingly Wonderful Experience

From the get-go, it felt great. The agent reached out and instead of just sending over a generic quote, they asked about what I was looking for, asked about my family, how we liked to travel, where we have been in the past. Honestly, it felt like I was talking to an old friend who was genuinely excited about helping me plan my cruise.

So we continued on working on our vacation and my agent asked about our cruise interests, stateroom preferences, do we have allergies, which we did have my nephew going on this trip with a severe peanut allergy so it was nice they asked upfront.

After all that work we made a decision, we were sailing on the Symphony of the Seas. It had all the cool features of the Oasis class, but was not the newest ship at sea so it was the best bang for the buck.

By the way, the travel agency is called “ Best Day Ever Vacations ” and they are an absolute delight!

Planning without having to plan

They didn’t just stop at booking our stateroom. They went the extra mile by providing us with a comprehensive guide for our sailing with a full itinerary that showed us the days at sea, ports of calls. restaurants on board shows, pretty much everything.

The other thing I loved, is I always miss the important planning and booking dates like when to book excursions. They kept us in the loop on all the important dates, like when to make dining reservations and show reservations, what excursions we should do on Coco Cay and gave us insider tips on how to make the most of our day at Perfect Day at Coco Cay….. which by the way is awesome!

Tips on Dining

This is one thing I really loved. I was going to buy the ultimate dining package and my agent advised me that since it is a 7 day cruise, I would buy a smaller package and choose your favorite types of food to eat at and choose upgraded dining for those. We aren’t big steak eaters so we skipped the Chop House, but Jamie’s Italian, Izumi Sushi and Hooked Seafood were unbelievable. This saved me over $800. They even shared some tips on avoiding crowds and getting the most out of our time at sea.

And for shows…. I am usually the person waiting in the standby line waiting to see if i can squeeze into a show and have the absolute worst seats. This time with the help of my agent reminding me it’s time to book the showtimes, we got all the showtimes we wanted whether it was the show at the aquatheater (which is an absolute must) the ice show or seeing the broadway performance “Hair”

My husband looked at me after the 3rd show we got into and said to me “why didn’t we do it like this on the other cruises” Thanks for the insight hubby, but it was nice to see him and the fam having such an amazing time.

An Unexpected Savings Surprise

The best part about Best Day Ever, is they booked our rooms and then later on their own found us a better cabin at a cheaper price and I didn’t have to do a thing. I was already going to use their services again and this made me a client for life. That text message was like a little ray of sunshine! Since then, we’ve booked every Royal Caribbean cruise through them, and next year I am sailing on the ICON of the SEAS and can’t wait.

In Conclusion – Is it worth it to use a travel agent for a Royal Caribbean Cruise? Yes…. but make sure it’s the right one

Like I said, I reached out to a few agencies and some didn’t reply and other just sent over a quote. So, I don’t really know if they are worth it or not. Perhaps, maybe I just reached out to the wrong ones at first.

But, if you find someone like Best Day Ever , it’s such a great experience. You are in great hands the whole way. I have probably sent at least a dozen friends over to them and they absolutely have had nothing but good things to say.

Now, when I send people over, if you just mention rookie moms, they will get you to one of their best agents.

• Recent Posts

• Using a Travel Agent for a Royal Caribbean Cruise… Is it Worth it? - December 7, 2023
• Still crushing the {Rookie Moms} Challenges – Part 2 - July 11, 2014
• I’m crushing the {Rookie Moms} Challenges – Part 1 - June 3, 2014

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Royal Caribbean Cruises

The Ultimate Vacation Experience. Book with CDV as your trusted Royal Caribbean Travel Agent

Popular Cruise Lines

Cruise styles.

If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation experience, Royal Caribbean Cruises is a perfect choice. As a leading cruise line, Royal Caribbean is known for its innovative ships, world-class dining, and incredible onboard activities. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an adventure-packed journey, Royal Caribbean Cruises has something for everyone.

Culture Discovery Cruises is an experienced Royal Caribbean Travel Agent that is dedicated to helping guests plan the perfect vacation. We offer special incentives for those who reserve through us, and our knowledgeable team is always available to answer any questions you may have.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean Cruises, from the cruise line’s history to its latest ships and most popular destinations. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about Royal Caribbean, so you can be fully prepared for your next adventure.

Royal Caribbean Cruises 2024 or 2025

Booking a Royal Caribbean cruise for 2024 or 2025 can be an exciting experience, and working with a Royal Caribbean travel agent can make the process even smoother. We specialize in Royal Caribbean cruises and can help guests find the perfect itinerary, cabin type, and other amenities to make their trip unforgettable. We can also provide expert advice on the best time to book, current promotions, and any other questions or concerns guests may have.

By partnering with a Royal Caribbean travel agent like CDV, guests can rest assured that they are getting the best deal and personalized service for their dream cruise vacation. So, if you’re considering booking a Royal Caribbean cruise for 2024 or 2025, be sure to contact us as your trusted Royal Caribbean travel agent to make your experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Royal Caribbean Frequently Asked Questions:

Royal Caribbean is known for its innovative ships and incredible onboard activities. With features like rock climbing walls, zip lines, and ice skating rinks, Royal Caribbean ships are designed for adventure. The cruise line is also known for its exceptional dining options, with everything from gourmet restaurants to casual cafes.

While Royal Caribbean offers a luxury experience, it’s not considered a high-end cruise line. Instead, Royal Caribbean offers a premium vacation experience at a more accessible price point. With a range of stateroom options and onboard activities, there’s something for every budget on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

While Royal Caribbean offers a premium vacation experience, it’s not necessarily an expensive cruise line. Prices can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, and time of year, but Royal Caribbean offers a range of stateroom options to fit every budget.

Royal Caribbean is a great choice for groups, with activities and amenities that appeal to all ages. From Broadway-style shows to family-friendly activities like miniature golf and water parks, there’s something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The cruise line also offers group rates and special incentives for large groups.

The food on Royal Caribbean Cruises is exceptional, with a range of dining options to suit every taste. From gourmet restaurants to casual cafes and bars, there’s something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean ship. The cruise line is also known for its innovative dining options, like the Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine restaurant on the Quantum-class ships.

Royal Caribbean offers something for every age group, so there’s no one “best” age to take a cruise. Families with young children will love the Adventure Ocean kids’ program, while adults will appreciate the onboard spa and fitness facilities. Older travelers will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and world-class dining options.

Top 10 Royal Caribbean Ships:

Scheduled to debut in 2024, Icon of the Seas will be the first ship in the new “Icon” class of vessels. It will be powered by liquefied natural gas and feature advanced propulsion technology, which makes it environmentally friendly. The ship is expected to feature innovative design features and a variety of unique onboard amenities.

This is the newest and largest addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet. With a capacity of over 6,988 passengers, it offers a wide range of amenities and activities, including a multi-level pool deck, a skydiving simulator, and a Central Park-like area with over 20,000 plants. The ship also features numerous dining options, including a wide range of specialty restaurants.

The Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum-Ultra class ship and offers a range of amenities, including the North Star observation capsule, skydiving simulator, and SeaPlex indoor activity space. It also features a wide range of dining options and entertainment, including Broadway-style shows and live music performances.

This ship was the largest in the world until the debut of the Wonder of the Seas.  It offers a diverse range of activities and dining options. It features numerous onboard amenities, such as waterslides, a zipline, mini-golf, and an ice-skating rink. There’s also a wide range of dining and entertainment options, including Broadway-style shows and a carousel.

Another sister ship to Symphony of the Seas, the Allure of the Seas offers a similar range of onboard activities and dining options. It also features a massive 1,380-seat theater and numerous bars and lounges for evening entertainment.

This ship was once the largest in the world until Symphony of the Seas took the title. It features seven distinct neighborhoods, including Central Park and the Boardwalk. There’s also a wide range of dining and entertainment options, including a water show in the AquaTheater.

This ship was the first in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class and introduced many new features, such as virtual balconies, the North Star observation capsule, and a skydiving simulator. It also features a variety of dining options and entertainment, including a robotic bartending system.

Another Quantum-class ship, the Anthem of the Seas is known for its technology-focused amenities, such as a robotic bartending system and a virtual balcony for interior cabins. It also has several dining options, including a Jamie Oliver restaurant.

A sister ship to Symphony and Allure of the Seas, the Harmony of the Seas offers a thrilling range of onboard activities like the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, and a nine-deck-high zipline. It also has several dining options, including a Wonderland-themed restaurant.

This ship offers a wide range of activities, dining options, and entertainment. It features a surfing simulator, a water park, and an ice-skating rink. There’s also a range of dining options, including a Johnny Rockets restaurant.

When it comes to Royal Caribbean, there’s never been a better time to book your dream vacation. With new ships like the Odyssey of the Seas and the Icon of the Seas, the cruise line is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a cruise ship. And with destinations like the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe, there’s no shortage of incredible places to explore.

So why wait? Work with Culture Discovery Cruises today to book your next Royal Caribbean vacation . Our knowledgeable travel agents are standing by to help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

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The 9 Best Sites to Book a Cruise

Avital Andrews

Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel's editor-at-large, is a travel and lifestyle journalist who is also a contributing editor for AAA's Via magazine. Her stories have been among the 10 most emailed or viewed on the Los Angeles Times, Outside, Sierra, and SmarterTravel websites, and have also appeared in USA Today, HuffPost, Apple News, Business Insider, and many other nationwide outlets. Her travel book , sold at bookstores and on Amazon, is in its fourth edition, and her journalism gets national media attention, including from The New York Times , The Atlantic , Time , NPR, and MTV. She's currently working on her first children's book. Follow her on Twitter @avitalb .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: My laptop—the lightweight and stylish HP Spectre x360—since I'm almost always on deadline.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: A round-the-world cruise that makes stops to experience Aurora Borealis, the Olympics opening ceremony, Borneo, Madagascar, the Jerusalem Festival of Light, the Bolivian salt flats, Kenya's Giraffe Manor, the Galapagos, the Maldives, Bora Bora, the Seychelles, and every Disney park. (That itinerary definitely exists, right?)

Travel Motto: I'll steal Saint Augustine's: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Window, always. For the views and also the naps.

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Booking a cruise isn’t always simple. It can be a complicated, time-consuming process that involves dozens of open tabs and maybe a spreadsheet or two. But knowing the best site to book a cruise can help a lot.

And while would-be travelers are accustomed to clicking around on travel search engines to find the best deals on flights , hotels , and rental cars , many people don’t realize that they can use these same types of sites to book cruises, too.

But is there one best site to book a cruise? That depends on what you’re looking for. Sometimes the best cruise website is actually a cruise line’s own site—since technically, cruise booking websites aren’t allowed to undercut the prices that the cruise lines set.

Often, though, the best cruise search engines are indispensable for locating incredible deals, including ones that throw in booking incentives worth hundreds of dollars—in Amazon gift cards, complimentary shore excursions, onboard freebies, and so on.

To save you the hassle, SmarterTravel investigated the glutted space of cheap cruise sites to determine which are worthy of listing as the best cruise websites; below are a few that come highly recommended.

The Best Sites to Book a Cruise

• Expedia (including Travelocity and Orbitz )
• TripAdvisor

Avoya Travel

Cheapcaribbean.com, cruisedirect, cruise critic, costco travel, cruisewatch.

Expedia is an obvious first mention in a list of the best cruise booking sites, in part because it’s an absolute juggernaut (Expedia also owns Travelocity and Orbitz ). Its cruise-booking interface is simple and straightforward, only requiring you to enter your preferred sailing destination and date range, as well as how many passengers you’ll be bringing along. Then Expedia does the heavy lifting for you, with comprehensive results that make it one of the best cruise search engines.

On Expedia, it’s common to find bookable cruises for 70 percent off face value, with the ability to sort by price so the best cruise deals come up at the top of the list, saving you the scrolling. A sample search for a mid-June cruise to Alaska, for example, quickly came up with a seven-night itinerary starting at $389 per person—that’s less than $56 per person, per night for a mostly inclusive weeklong vacation.

Expedia’s cruise deals tend to come paired with other enticing offers, including steep discounts on pre-departure hotels when you book both your cruise and hotel through Expedia. There’s also a dedicated 800 number that lets you speak to Expedia’s cruise experts and, often but not always, a generous amount of onboard credit thrown in for good measure.

Best feature: Sheer search power. Expedia’s easy-to-use cruise search engine generates a useful and well-ordered list of the best cruise deals, without much effort required from the user. Also, Expedia’s prices frequently match what the cruise lines themselves offer.

Check out Expedia

Priceline is another powerhouse among cheap cruise websites. The initial interface comes off a bit clunkier than, say, Expedia’s or Kayak’s, but the tradeoff is that you can quickly search by cruise line, both standard and luxury, as well as by cruise length and departure port.

Using the seven-night Alaska example, Priceline brought up an itinerary aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas that starts at just $374 for the full week—roughly $53 per night. Hard-to-believe cruise deals like this show up on Priceline with regularity, which is part of what solidifies it as one of the best cruise websites.

Also adding to the appeal: deals exclusive to Priceline, plenty of bonus amenities (examples include $50 in onboard credit, third and fourth guests sailing free, and free specialty dinners for two), no money down to book certain sailings, frequent onboard credit sales, an 800 number to call should you need assistance while booking, and a loyalty club that’s ties in with every cruise line’s loyalty program. Priceline also lets you click a “senior discount” box if that applies to you.

Best feature: Priceline’s “ 110% Best Price Guarantee ” promises that if you find your cruise listed at a lower price on another website within 48 hours of booking, then Priceline will refund you 110 percent of the cost difference, including port charges.

Check out Priceline

Tripadvisor

Many people think of Tripadvisor mainly as a travel review site, where you go to get real talk on hotels and attractions, and to see non-glamorized photos of places as seen through actual travelers’ eyes. But Tripadvisor is also an excellent site for travel deals, including on cruises.

Tripadvisor Cruise , which launched in April 2019, is among the best websites for cruise deals—it lets you nab the lowest price by comparing more than 70,000 ocean and river cruises from some 60 of the best cruise websites. It’s got an attractive, inspiring landing page, and its newest function, “Explore Ship-tinerary pages,” lets you browse full ship profiles, details, photos, and itineraries.

Though Tripadvisor is technically a meta-search site for cruises, which means that it will send you elsewhere to actually book, its search engine lets users sort by destination, length, cruise line, and month of travel. The default search results are ordered by “best value”, unless you specifically click that you’d rather see the results organized by price, cruise length, departure date, or cruise ship. Even when you click on “price,” the lowest-priced offering doesn’t always come up first, though it only takes a few seconds of scanning to determine which itinerary has the lowest price—that seven-night Royal Caribbean International trip to Alaska came up on Tripadvisor starting at $365.

Best feature: What makes Tripadvisor one of the best sites to book a cruise? In addition to having one of the best cruise search engines, Tripadvisor lets you read other cruisers’ candid reviews of the cruise that you’re considering, so that you get the non-sugarcoated truth about each sailing.

Check out Tripadvisor

7 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Ship

A rarity on the internet, Avoya Travel is a family-owned company that has been dealing in travel for more than 55 years. Avoya is one of the best sites to book a cruise in part because of its patented technology that lets travelers search cruises by destination, date range, cruise line, and last-minute status—and then get matched up, in real time, with one of Avoya’s expert vacation planners, who use that algorithm to customize a cruise booking to your specific preferences. (From Avoya’s website: “…we combine the ease of online search, with the expertise and personalized service of Independent Vacation Planners, plus secure exclusive deals and extras so you get more out of every vacation.”)

Avoya’s team of staffers and wide network of independent agencies make for a cruise booking website that’s a bit different from the rest. Its front page shows the “Best Travel Deals,” which might include half-off cruise fares, onboard credit, prepaid gratuities, and free or reduced airfare.

Like several of the other best cruise websites, Avoya offers a low-price guarantee; if you book a cruise with Avoya and then find a lower rate on another website within 24 hours of booking, Avoya will refund the difference.

Best feature: Avoya offers free membership, and members get exclusive deals and discounts, access to unpublished fares, first dibs on promotions, the ability to save favorite searches, and the right to book, change, or cancel travel without incurring any Avoya fees.

Check out Avoya Travel

When looking for the best site to book a cruise, don’t be put off by CheapCaribbean.com ’s overly specific moniker. Despite the site’s name, it offers cruises all over the world. The site’s vibe is beach-oriented and a bit cheeky, with a front page that can overwhelm—but click on the “Cruises” tab, and a cleaner interface appears. There you can search by cruise line, ship, destination, departure date, and departure port.

CheapCaribbean.com offers refunds on 24-hour cancellations (within certain parameters) and a “ 110 percent best price guarantee, ” a promise that if you find a lower price on the same cruise within 48 hours of booking, the company will refund you 110 percent of the difference. The site also lists traveler reviews about each cruise ship (as supplied by Cruiseline), though the reviews often include comments about the ship’s destinations other than the one you’re considering, which isn’t entirely helpful. There’s also a live chat widget if questions come up while booking.

Best feature: Helping to make CheapCaribbean.com one of the best cruise search engines is the fact that it lets you check boxes for additional discounts, including a senior discount, discounts by state (just enter your ZIP code), and past guest discounts if you’ve previously sailed with, say, Princess, Norwegian, or Disney.

Check out CheapCaribbean.com

Its front page is clunky and sort of in your face, but CruiseDirect is still one of the best cruise sites for a variety of reasons. As a cruise-only company, CruiseDirect doesn’t deal in flights, hotels, or rental cars, allowing it to focus its full capacity on helping you find the best cruise deal possible. On the site, you can search by destination, departure port, month, length of cruise, and cruise line. There’s real-time online chat and a contact number for support from a cruise expert. If you aren’t quite ready to buy, you can “heart” cruises to save them as favorites to refer back to later.

CruiseDirect offers perks on most sailings, like onboard credit, free drinks, free Wi-Fi, free gratuities, free travel insurance, or a free specialty dining experience—check out the “Bonus” box on the cruise listing you’re considering to see what extras it comes with.

Best feature: Like some of the other cruise websites on this list, CruiseDirect offers a “ best price guarantee ,” which means that if you find a lower price on another cruise booking website within 24 hours of your initial booking, you’ll get refunded the difference. But one key difference between CruiseDirect and the other cruise sites is that you don’t have to pay the cost of your cruise up front, just a deposit—and then if your cruise fare drops before you’ve made your final payment, CruiseDirect will readjust your rate accordingly.

Check out CruiseDirect

5 Crazy Themed Cruises You Can Take in 2022 and 2023

A subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Cruise Critic has similar search results to that site, but it offers a bit more comprehensive information for seasoned cruisers who want more details before they book. Cruise Critic has tons of filters and sort options to help you find what you want, including everything from cruise line to cruise style (family cruises, luxury cruises, cruises for the disabled). Each itinerary clearly lists what is and isn’t included in the fare; Wi-Fi, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, and port taxes and fees are among the common exclusions.

Certain itineraries are marked with graphics declaring that the ship has won one of the site’s “Cruisers’ Choice” awards, denoting vessels that Cruise Critic members declare to be the among the best in categories such as cabins, entertainment, and family-friendly features.

You can sign up for price alerts, which will notify you by email when the fare on your selected itinerary drops.

Once you’re ready to book, Cruise Critic shows you a variety of offers from some of the best cruise booking sites, including bonuses such as onboard credit and prepaid gratuities. Then you click off to the site of your choice to make your purchase. Prices generally match what’s advertised on Cruise Critic.

Best feature: Under each search result is a tab for “reviews” where you can read reviews from Cruise Critic members who’ve previously traveled on the ship. On certain cruises you can click over to a full-length write-up of the ship by one of the experts on the Cruise Critic editorial team, including detailed information on dining options, cabins, entertainment, dress code, and more.

Check out Cruise Critic

When you think of Costco, you probably think of bulk food and toilet paper. But the next time you’re booking a cruise, it’ll be worthwhile to pull up Costco Travel , which is, unexpectedly, one of the best cruise websites.

The site doesn’t look fancy—it’s pretty bare-bones, visually—but the upside of going with a no-frills cruise-booking website is that Costco Travel offers extremely competitive prices, as well as some of the most attractive incentives, usually in the form of Costco Cash delivered to you after you get home from your cruise.

Though there’s no single point of contact if you need to call and discuss your cruise booking, Costco Travel’s call center is staffed with helpful agents from early morning until evening, seven days a week, and passengers can rest assured that Costco won’t go out of business before they set sail. Note that a Costco membership (starting at $60 per year) is required to book with Costco Travel, and that Costco doesn’t accept American Express.

Best feature: Rock-bottom prices—plus lots of cash back if you play your cards right: Costco Citi cardholders earn 3 percent cash back on cruise purchases, which can combine with the 2 percent Costco Reward for Costco Executive Members for a total of 5 percent back on Costco Travel’s already super low cruise rates.

Check out Costco Travel

Pondering which is the best site to book a cruise? Keep Cruisewatch in strong consideration—more than a typical cruise booking website, Cruisewatch bills itself as a “digital cruise advisor” that couples data power with personalization.

As an artificial intelligence cruise advisor, Crusewatch created technology that makes searching and booking a cruise more efficient—the first, it calls “Cruise Price Prediction.” In short, Cruisewatch collected and stored the daily price for each ship and cabin over a span of five years, resulting in millions of data points—and a massive database that informs exactly when cruise prices are lowest, and when the greatest saving potential exists.

Thanks to this comprehensive price history, Cruisewatch can predict cruise prices and drops with an accuracy rate of around 80 percent. Using the site’s cruise price prediction alerts, travelers can save up to 71 percent just by booking at the right time.

In addition to being able to predict prices, Cruisewatch tailors user search results to match their established preferences through customizable profiles and other similar features. This means you won’t waste time wading through cruises that may be cheap but don’t align with your vacation goals.

Best feature: Cruisewatch’s easy-to-set price alerts, based on tons of data, allow users to be notified in real time of the best new cruise deals the minute they come online.

Check out Cruisewatch

Book a Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

Need a place to stay the night before you set sail? Search SmarterTravel Hotels for great accommodations in your port of call.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Follow Avital Andrews on Twitter  @avitalb  or on  Facebook .

Editor’s note: Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story.

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The Best Websites to Book a Cruise in 2024

Looking for the best website to book your cruise ?

We wouldn’t be surprised if after a little bit of searching, your head is spinning a little bit.

Think of all the options you have to consider — the length of your trip, the cruise line, the ship, the date, ports of call, and more. And that’s before you even decide on which website to use to book your cruise.

Cruising is big business, and that’s why you have dozens of websites at your disposal, all competing for your travel dollars.

From the major cruise line websites like Carnival.com to major travel portals such as Orbitz or Expedia to lesser-known sites that specialize in cruises like AvoyaTravel.com, it can seem like your options are nearly unlimited… and overwhelming.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be stressful to book a cruise.

To help you out, we detailed the pros and cons of the best websites to book your cruise below. Before we get too far, however, there’s something you should know about price shopping for cruises online.

Cruise Buying Tip: Prices Are Often the Same Across Every Site

If you are worried about finding the best price for your cruise, there’s some good news and bad news. The good news is that cruise prices are usually the exact same across every single website you search .

Below are the results of a search we recently did for a July 2024 Carnival cruise from Miami aboard Carnival Celebration, with prices listed for each website:

As you can see, they all have the exact same rates. That means you don’t have to run yourself ragged trying to find the best deal.

The bad news? If you’re a deal-hunter, there isn’t some magic website that has cruise fares for dramatically cheaper than everyone else (that we’ve ever found). But there are differences on where you book.

That’s because some sites can offer perks like onboard credit or even a direct phone number to call to talk to someone with any questions you might have before you cruise.

So should you just find any random site and book your cruise? We’d suggest not. Below we lay out the advantages and disadvantage of booking with each different type of website.

For more on getting the best deal on a cruise, see our 10 Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise here .

Booking Direct Through Cruise Line Websites

It used to be that if you wanted to book a cruise, you’d visit a travel agent or call up the cruise line. You can still take those routes, but the cruise line websites make it simple to book your trip.

Every major cruise line allows you to book online and do everything from find a cruise to make upgrades, buy extras like drink packages, and pay for the trip. In other words, you can book your spot on the ship completely online at any time of the day.

Specific cruise line websites include:

• Carnival.com
• RoyalCaribbean.com
• DisneyCruises.com
• MSCCruisesUSA.com
• Princess.com

Each of these cruise line websites will allow you to be as narrow or as broad with your search as you wish. You can search all cruises, or search for trips on a specific ship, leaving a specific date, and from a specific port.

Advantages: The good thing about booking directly through the cruise line then there is no third-party company to deal with should there be an issue with your trip. Want to make a change or get a refund? You don’t have to worry about any sort of mix-up between the cruise line and another website. While this is rarely an issue, it could happen.

Disadvantages: The main drawback of using a cruise line website? It’s like going to a buffet and restricting yourself to only the salad bar.

Cruise line websites only have cruises from that line, so you are limiting your options of prices, ships, dates, and itineraries. In other words, if you’re looking for the absolute best deal or the most flexible schedule, you aren’t likely to find it searching only one cruise line.

If you are loyal to one specific cruise line, then that’s ok for you. But if you want to see all your options, it’s better to do a search on an “aggregator” website that will search all the cruise lines for that perfect vacation.

Bottom line: Know which cruise line you want to sail? Then going directly to the cruise line site is a good idea. Just know that if you want the cheapest deals or the most available cruises, then opening your search to more lines is ideal.

Booking on Aggregator Websites

While aggregator websites sound complex, they are actually just search engine for travel bookings. In fact, you’ve likely searched on these sites before for a hotel or a rental car. The sites include the big names that you’ve seen advertised heavily on TV and the Internet:

• Travelocity.com
• Expedia.com
• TripAdvisor.com

Just like searching for a hotel room, you can search these websites for a cruise across all of your options. This means being able to search across all the lines at once. They also give you the ability to narrow searches to specific dates of cruising, length of trip, destination, port of departure and more.

One thing to note is that many websites in this space are actually owned by a single company — Expedia. For instance, Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, and Orbitz.com, are all part of the Expedia family.

That means you’re going to find the same prices across these sites, along with similar search functions.

Advantages: There are two main advantages to using an aggregator website. First, they allow you to search across every cruise line.

So if you want to sail from Miami, you’ll see all the options from the port for every cruise line. That gives you a better chance of finding something that matches your budget and schedule versus just searching one line.

In addition, while aggregator websites will almost always have the same prices you’ll find everywhere else, they often offer perks you won’t find on the cruise lines websites.

For instance, a cruise might be priced the same as another website, but will have an offer of free onboard credit as an incentive to book through them. These perks usually aren’t huge, but are a nice to have.

Disadvantages: The drawback is that booking through third-party websites introduce a “middle man” into your cruise booking. The vast majority of the time that creates no issue.

However, if there is a reason where you need to change your booking or get a refund, then it could be a little more complicated than booking directly through the cruise line.

So should you use aggregator sites? We think so as they can help you look at every cruise available to find one that fits. Smart cruise shoppers use them to look at all their options and see what sort of incentives they have for booking through their site.

Bottom line: Not sure which cruise line you want? An aggregator site will search them all at once, allowing you to sort by price, date, and more. Use these to find the best deals and the most flexible dates.

Booking Through Specialized Cruise-Travel Websites

In addition to the large cruise aggregators, there are a number of smaller websites focused solely on cruises.

These sites include:

• AvoyaTravel.com
• CruisesOnly.com
• Cruises.com
• VacationsToGo.com

These websites are similar to the large aggregator websites in that they can help you search through every cruise out there to find the best deal. The difference? These websites focus solely on cruises.

With a focus on cruising, they are able to better serve cruise passengers — including having staff that you can call directly to help you book.

In other words, these sites are more akin to having your own travel agent to help you with the booking process compared to only a website.

That’s a big help if you’re not entirely sure about which cruise you should book. As well, these sites often have deals and incentives to entice you to book.

Advantages: Like the larger aggregators, the niche booking websites offer the ability to search across multiple cruise lines to see all of your options. As well, many of these sites also offer their own special incentives such as onboard credit or low deposits for booking through them.

In addition, these sites feature their phone number prominently for those who wish to talk to a person about their reservation. You don’t always find that with the large aggregation websites. Their staff are also focused on cruises, giving you someone who knows what they are talking about compared to someone with more general travel knowledge.

Disadvantages: While booking through these sites is largely the same as through the cruise line or an aggregator, we’ve found the incentives can be somewhat confusing.

For instance, one recent search promoted free gratuities on trips booked through the site, but we couldn’t find any mention of this once we actually started the booking process. Digging further, the incentive applied only to certain cruises, despite being heavily promoted.

That’s where having the phone number to call an agent of the company directly is a big help in getting things explained.

Bottom line: Sites like these offer the benefit of searching multiple cruise lines and the help of an agent you can call to help you book.

Booking Through Costco Travel

Are you a Costco member? If so, then you can book cruises online through the store. In fact, the offers are good enough that it’s usually worth it to become a member for a year just to book a cruise.

You can book online at CostcoTravel.com

Costco is well-known for its low prices, great deals, and customer service. Buying a cruise through the store might not enter many people’s minds, but it can save you big.

Like other cruise-buying websites, Costco offers rates that are in line with what you’ll find anywhere else. However, the big difference is that Costco offers special incentives to book through their site. This includes Costco Shop Cards — a gift card to the store.

Advantages: While the deals change from day to day on aggregator websites, Costco’s incentives are simple and straightforward. If you book through them, then they offer Costco Shop Cards. The amounts can be high as well.

For example, we found a cruise offering a $45 Costco Cash Card for booking the cheapest stateroom for just $409. In other words, that deal is like getting 11% off the price of your cruise . The cash increases substantially with upgraded cabins.

Disadvantages: First, in our searches, sometimes Costco’s pricing seems to jump around quite a bit. So you’ll see one price, click through, and then another price appears. Even so, sometimes that works in your advantage with seeing lower prices than you thought. Sometimes it doesn’t, but the Costco Shop Card more than makes up the difference.

The other disadvantage is that you need to be a member of Costco to book. An annual membership costs $60. In addition, the Costco Shop Cards are only valid at the store. It’s not the same as actual cash.

Bottom line: Costco can offer great cruise deals if you are a member, but not everyone is.

Final Recommendation for the Best Websites to Book a Cruise

Costco Members: If you are a Costco member, then we suggest CostcoTravel.com as the best website to book a cruise. It’s the largest and simplest incentive we’ve seen for booking online. Prices are competitive, but the cash back offers provide a lot of value. Just be sure to compare the total price there with what you find on other sites before booking.

Non-Costco Members: If you aren’t a Costco member and don’t want to join, then we suggest looking first at the specialized cruise travel sites to search all your options and find the cruise you want.

If the site offers a good incentive for booking through them, then know that you’ve found a good deal. If the incentive isn’t that strong or you don’t want to go through a third-party to your reservation, then booking directly through the cruise line is your best bet.

FAQ About Booking Cruises Online

How do I know if a website is legit to book a cruise? There are dozens — if not hundreds — of websites that you can use to book your cruise. Frankly, not all of them look professional, so it is understandable you might question the legitimacy of a website or their deals.

We suggest you stick with the websites mentioned here or other well-known spots.

Above all, remember the age-old rule that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Be wary of any websites advertising cruise deals that are significantly less than the same cruise priced elsewhere.

What about booking last-minute cruise deals on websites? It makes sense that if a cruise cabin is about to sail empty the price would drop to fill it up. In reality, this doesn’t usually happen. In fact, cruise lines consistently have occupancy rates above 100% — meaning that more than two passengers are in some cabins.

By waiting until the last minute you aren’t likely to find great deals, but it will mean that you have fewer cabin choices. It’s best to book earlier compared to later.

What if I book on a website and the price drops? Cruise prices can fluctuate. It’s possible that if you book one day, the next day the price may go down. The good news is that the price is unlikely to move much (unlike airfare).

So what do you do if the price does change? In that case, you’ll want to contact the website that you booked through — not the cruise line (unless you booked through the cruise line’s website). For example, if you book through CostcoTravel.com, then contact them first for any price drops you see.

Have more questions about the best website to book a cruise? Let us know in the comments below.

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CruiseCompete.com allows you to get quotes from multiple travel agencies by requesting a quote only once. You open an account for free, enter the date/cruise you want to go on (their site has info on itineraries, dates, etc) and then travel agents will respond with their pricing and special deals (OBC’s, etc).

I totally agree. I know people like to think they’re getting a “deal” but there aren’t that many deals out there. Most websites and TA’s are basically selling the same thing, for the same price. Where you will find better “value” sometimes though, is with a travel agent that can help put the pieces of the trip together for you. You’re getting more personal service, without paying more. A nice little bonus when we booked through an online TA was that we received an onboard credit that we weren’t expecting, which was nice. The deals likely come with whatever credit card you use, getting points or cash back. Some cards are pretty generous with their cashback on certain things.

You are dead wrong about costco cash cards. As a costco member you can cash the cards at any store for actual cash money. Done so many times.

That’s a good tip.

What about booking thru an independant, or franchise, agent? ONLY an indepent person is able to/allowed to give you back some of their commission. Most often as OBC – but heck $100 of OBC pays your gratuities. fyi: There are THOURSANDS of agents that have the SAME inventory as Cruises Only. ALL under the World Travel Holding Umbrella.

Vacations to go has a amazingly well laid out web site with every imaginable ship or itinerary feature. Just check it out and see. Great price and incentives as well

Why no mention of “www.Vacationstogo” ? I booked many at a reduces price on their website.

you didn’t mention booking through credit card companies. For instance, you can earn points for booking your cruise through Capital One, or, if you have discover you can earn 5% cash back through booking a cruise. Also, There are a few other sites such as Sears or Shop Your Way where you can book vacations. It’s not just going to the travel aggregator sites. if you can’t find a lower price, at least you can get a discount through these card companies. If you have the card that is.

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Royal Caribbean is an excellent option if you’re considering a cruise. Royal Caribbean has long been leading the industry for innovations, entertainment, premium destinations, and excellent traveler perks like onboard activities and fantastic food.

Royal Caribbean Cruises allow you to explore more than just the Caribbean; they also offer cruises to Alaska, Europe, and more! If you’re unsure where to start when booking a cruise, don’t stress, I can help! When you book through me, I’ll make sure I understand your preferences, budget, and goals for travel. I’ll help you narrow down your options, and I can provide you with information about different packages so you can make the best decision about where you want to travel and when you want to go.

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When you work with a travel agent, you’re benefiting from someone who specializes in understanding the ins and outs of the cruise industry. I have earned my Masters with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line; the highest level of training. Therefore, I know what’s included in various packages and can educate you about the perks of cruise travel.  

It can be overwhelming to book a cruise for your family; I understand how hard it is to navigate the options when you’re unfamiliar with the industry. I take it upon myself to advocate for you. I can handle your entire booking process and show you how to stretch your dollar further without sacrificing any of the fun! Working with a travel agent means you get all the perks of travel with no stress from planning. Contact me today to get started!

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The 6 best Royal Caribbean ships for adults

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Royal Caribbean is known for some of the world’s largest cruise ships , over-the-top onboard amenities and some of the best entertainment at sea — perfect for young families. While Royal Caribbean does not run adults-only cruises, grownups traveling without children will be glad to know that certain ships seem tailor-made for couples, mom-and-daughter duos or parents traveling with their adult children.

With over 25 ships in its fleet, Royal Caribbean has a ship for every type of traveler, not just families with young kids. Whether you’re looking for fewer upper-deck attractions and more places to relax outside or upscale dining and entertainment for a date night after an exciting day in port, this cruise line has you covered.

Also, most ships offer adults-only pools and lounges where you can escape from the younger cruisers on board if you so choose. Cruisers looking for a party scene can enjoy nightclubs open until the wee hours of the morning, and foodies can find an elevated dining experience at the line’s many specialty restaurants.

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For the avid traveler looking to get away from the standard Caribbean sailings, some of the line’s ships have sailings that go to unique ports of call where you can immerse yourself in a new culture and indulge in local culinary delights.

If you’re looking for a more grownup vacation, these are the six best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for adults.

Rhapsody of the Seas

Don’t overlook Rhapsody of the Seas just because it’s one of the oldest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. It still has lots to offer adults looking for a fun getaway, especially to Europe, where you can book back-to-back port-intensive cruises for a customized vacation. 

Rhapsody of the Seas offers some unique sailings, including a two-night sailing from Israel that can be tacked onto longer Mediterranean sailings, such as five-night Greek Isles cruises . For an even longer sailing, consider the 14-night transatlantic cruise , which stops in Alicante, Spain, the Canary Islands and the Bahamas. 

Related: Best Mediterranean cruises for every type of traveler

The ship is also one of Royal Caribbean’s smallest, carrying 1,998 passengers at double occupancy (compared to 5,734 on Wonder of the Seas ). Yet it’s got much to offer adults looking to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Book a relaxing treatment, such as a couples massage or solo facial, in the serene oasis of the Vitality Spa. Or take a dip in the Solarium, the adults-only retreat with loungers, pools and panoramic ocean views.

In the evening, watch the sunset at the ship’s signature Viking Crown Lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows surround clusters of cozy lounge chairs just beckoning adults to linger over their favorite drink and enjoy the view. After dark, the lounge becomes a dance club with a DJ.

Grownups can also enjoy evening dance parties and movies under the stars on the pool deck as the ship sails to its next port of call. Chops Grille, the onboard steakhouse, provides an intimate setting for a romantic dinner for two.

Anthem of the Seas

Adults looking for unique onboard activities, mixed with a manageable size and more grownup vibe, will enjoy the 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas .

On board, the North Star, a pod-like viewing deck unique to this class of ships, suspends travelers 300 feet above the ocean for incredible views. We recommend taking the ride on a port day to get a birds-eye view of the shore and city skylines. For a different kind of thrill, try the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, which gives you the sensation of free falling. 

Of course, no cruise is complete without dinner and a show. One of the more unique things about Anthem of the Seas is its four smaller main dining rooms rather than one enormous main restaurant. Of the four venues, The Grande is the most elegant and tends to draw in more adults. After dinner, head to the theater to see “We Will Rock You,” a musical tribute to Queen that originated in London’s West End. Anthem is the only Royal Caribbean ship to offer this production.

Related: The craziest attractions you’ll find on a cruise ship

The ship also caters to adults with the time and desire for longer vacations, with seven- to 14-night summer cruises to the Norwegian fjords, Canary Islands and the Mediterranean. If you want to stay stateside, there are seven and eight-night sailings that go from Cape Liberty to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay . You can find a more grownup vibe at the Chill Island beach or the swim-up bar in the Oasis Lagoon pool. The line has hinted that an adults-only beach is coming soon.

Quantum of the Seas

The longer the cruise, the fewer the kids. So, for a very adult Royal Caribbean cruise, choose the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas for its longer sailings to Hawaii , the South Pacific or Australia . You’ll visit some of the most beautiful islands in the world and find far fewer kids on board due to the duration and school-year timing of the itineraries. 

For an adult-focused cruise to Alaska , try Quantum’s weeklong voyages to the Last Frontier from May through September. The ship sails to such exciting ports of call as Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan and offers scenic cruising through the Endicott Arm and by Dawes Glacier. 

You’ll find plenty of kids on board during Alaska sailings. However, adults rarely have to go far to find a place without kids. (Plus, the ship’s excellent kids club keeps many young cruisers entertained and out of sight.)

Adults can seek out age-appropriate fun at the onboard escape room, watch an outdoor movie under the stars or embrace their inner child by shooting hoops or driving bumper cars at the SeaPlex. By day, enjoy a drink or snack and take in the 270-degree views in the Two70 lounge. Return at night when the space transforms into an immersive theater using high-tech elements to put on musical performances. 

If you’re looking for great views from the pool or hot tub, head to the indoor, adults-only Solarium, where you never have to worry about the cold Alaska weather or the hot Hawaiian sun making you uncomfortable. The forward-facing venue offers unobstructed views from the plentiful lounge chairs around the windows. 

Related: 35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

Quantum of the Seas, like sister ship Anthem, has a multitude of dining venues that serve great dishes around the ship. A meal at Wonderland is worth the additional cost because it’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. The molecular gastronomy menu features delightful bites of pork belly, tuna sashimi and buffalo chicken presented in a playful way that guests might not expect (and most kids may not appreciate). 

Mariner of the Seas

The 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas is an ideal ship for multigenerational cruises, with plenty of activities to please everyone from young adults to grandparents. 

Older adults play cards or read in the serene library and card room or enjoy the ocean views from the Solarium. Young adults can pack their day with high-energy activities, such as laser tag, ice skating and boogie boarding on the FlowRider surf simulator. 

At night, everyone in the family can come together for a meal. Reserve a table at Jamie’s Italian for a special group dinner. All of the pasta is made fresh, including the signature truffle tagliatelle, where thick noodles are tossed in truffle cream with fresh truffles and a hint of nutmeg. The fan-favorite “meat plank” is easy to share and laden with salami, prosciutto, mozzarella and focaccia. 

Afterward, the group can catch the ice skating show (you’re never too old to enjoy the musical numbers and colorful costumes) or musical performances in the main theater before the younger set heads to the bars and the older generation turns in for the night. 

Mariner of the Seas sails from Galveston, Texas, and Port Canaveral, Florida, to destinations across the Bahamas and Caribbean. Shorter four or five-night sailings are a great way to fit in a long weekend away, especially for younger adults with less time off work. Longer eight-night sailings to the islands make for a true getaway. 

Jewel of the Seas

Adults who relish scenic cruising should look no further than the 2,702-passenger Jewel of the Seas . The beautiful ship travels to a wide range of destinations, with fall foliage sailings in Canada and New England , adventurous itineraries to the Arctic Circle and northern destinations like Iceland and Greenland, and traditional cruises to the Caribbean.

The smaller ship is more desirable for adults looking to enjoy the destinations they are visiting rather than trying out the latest attractions at sea. The Viking Crown Lounge offers a quiet getaway during the day for looking out over the passing scenery and a hyped-up dance club at night. You can even get great landscape views from the glass elevators running along the sides of the ship. 

No matter where you sail, Jewel of the Seas offers plenty of onboard activities suitable for adults. Take an all-access tour of the inner parts of the ship most people never see, test your luck at table games or slot machines in the casino, or dance the night away at the ’70s disco party. 

Foodies and wine enthusiasts may never tire of the many bars and lounges on Jewel of the Seas. Try a variety of wines, either by the glass or the bottle, at Vintages wine bar, people watch and enjoy a cocktail at the Centrum lobby bar, or grab a seat at Vortex, where the spinning bar slowly rotates everyone around the room. 

When it’s time to eat, head to Giovanni’s Table, where Italian dishes are prepared and served like they are at your nonna’s house. The kids might turn up their noses, but grownups will love the signature dishes, such as the grilled octopus appetizer and the housemade linguine with clams entree. 

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean ship

Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, carrying 5,497 passengers at double occupancy. It’s got activities for all ages and interests, with themed areas of the ships – called neighborhoods – dedicated to different pursuits, such as entertainment or swimming and sports. Adults can have thrilling experiences during the day, find their zen before heading off to dinner and enjoy entertainment late into the night, all by moving between a few decks. 

Adventurous adults will love zip lining over the top of the Boardwalk or sliding down the Ultimate Abyss, a 10-story dry slide. Those looking for a more laid-back vacation can book treatment at the Vitality Spa, sample different varietals at a wine tasting or learn how to make sushi. 

The ship’s Central Park area is romantic and made for adults. It’s a fantastic place to sit back with a cocktail and people-watch. Here, you’ll find upscale shops, restaurants and bars with indoor and outdoor seating set amid a garden of real plants and trees. To spend a full evening in Central Park, start at the Trellis Bar for wine or cocktails, then head to 150 Central Park, where the menu highlights seasonal ingredients. 

Those looking for a more exciting evening will want to hang around Royal Promenade, which feels more like a buzzy city street than a cruise ship deck. Here, an English pub, a bar staffed by robots and a Latin-inspired lounge all come together to make for a fun night out. For a full night of entertainment, check out a live performance of “Grease” in the ship’s main theater. 

Harmony of the Seas sets sail from Galveston and Miami, taking cruisers to the Caribbean on four- to eight-night sailings. The Miami sailings all stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Honduras. 

Bottom line

The best Royal Caribbean ships for adults may still have kids on board. However, they also offer something extra for grownups — whether that’s a more intimate ship size, out-of-the-ordinary itineraries, incredible choice of bars and restaurants, serene hangouts or thrilling attractions for active adults. 

No matter which ship you choose, cruising with Royal Caribbean offers the ability to visit some of the world’s most sought-after destinations on a ship that teems with varied activities. While you won’t find adults-only Royal Caribbean cruises, you can tailor your cruise experience on these six ships to focus on more grown-up pursuits.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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