By Donna Heiderstadt | Re-Published on April 30, 2024
If you're new to cruising and are ready to book your first adventure at sea, you're probably wondering how to make the most of everything these incredible ships have to offer — from first-at-sea onboard activities like a surf simulator and simulated skydiving to Broadway style shows and live music. You also may have a few questions about what is included on a cruise. It helps to think of it this way: Your cruise fare is mostly all-inclusive — your stateroom, dining in a variety of locations, onboard entertainment and access to pools, hot tubs and other amenities and activities are typically included.
So, what is included on a cruise, and what do you pay extra for while onboard? Here's a helpful guide to everything that's complimentary. You'll also get a clear understanding of all the ways you can upgrade your getaway with memory-making experiences for an additional fee.
What Is Free?
IIt's hard to top the feeling of stepping onboard a ship knowing that the cruise fare you've already paid covers most expenses. Your comfortable room - whether you choose a budget-friendly interior, a balcony room with private balcony or a luxurious suite - is part of the package. Royal Caribbean® ships also offer some of the most unique suites at sea, including the ultimate in luxury, the two-storey Loft Suites. Guests with disabilities can also book an accessible stateroom in many categories.
When not exploring ashore, your sea days can be spent relaxing by one of the pools, including the adults-only Solarium pool, or enjoying free activities such as card games and dance classes. Tame the waves on the FlowRider® surf stimulator or challenge your crew to a family face-off on the Bumper Cars at SeaPlex®, all for free. You can even cheer on your family and friends as they soar to new heights on the RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator which is complimentary when the ships are in port.
At night, our ships rev things up with complimentary dance parties and clubs, outdoor movies and Broadway-caliber entertainment. The cruise line is known for offering some of the most innovative entertainment at sea. Jaw-dropping shows in Two70®, an immersive space where art, technology, music, dance, and multimedia come together and incredible Broadway style performances every night in the Royal Theatre, are all included in your cruise fare. Live music in the ship's bars, lounges and public spaces, such as pool decks and atriums, along with karaoke, poolside movies and '70s, '80s and '90s-themed dance parties, are also complimentary.
Dining: What Food Is Included?
All ships have at least seven dining venues, with enough free options that you can feast your way through an entire cruise without paying extra for a single meal. Complimentary dining venues vary by ship, with Windjammer and the Main Dining Room open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on all ships, along with as many as five additional free options.
Depending on your mood, you can rise and shine with a breakfast of eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and unlimited coffee at the buffet or order a big plate of blueberry pancakes in the Main Dining Room. For lunch, grab a barbecue chicken pizza at Sorrento's (included), a fully loaded hot dog with sauerkraut at Dog House (included) or choose from international buffet selections, like paella or sushi. And dinner? It can match your mood: a casual buffet or an elegant sit-down meal with a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts from inspired menus that change daily.
The Main Dining Room offers an elegant culinary experience morning, noon, and night. At breakfast consider Eggs Benedict or a chorizo-laden burrito. In the evening, you'll find rotating menus with everything from savory duck terrine and crispy Vidalia onion tarts to marinated pork loin and Moroccan-spiced ahi tuna. Windjammer Café, another popular option, is a buffet-style choice. In the morning you'll find custom-made omelettes and fresh pastries; in the afternoon and evening selections feature salads, pastas, paninis, Asian and Indian dishes, grilled meats and fish and desserts galore.
In addition, there are a variety of included more-focused options. No family-friendly ship would be complete without a pool-side space that serves chicken tenders, burgers and chocolate chip cookies -- and Splashaway Café as popular as you would guess. Sorrento's with its grab-and-go mouthwatering pizza slices topped with cheese, pepperoni and even BBQ chicken, is a real crowd pleasure. The Dog House is a popular spot that serves up a menu of hot dogs, including a classic Coney Island and a pork bratwurst. Solarium Bistro focuses on lighter fare, with a Mediterranean buffet, featuring fruit, yogurt, Greek salad, hummus, mussels and more. If you're up early — or late for that matter — you'll be grateful for Café Promenade, a 24-hour café that dishes out pastries, wraps and desserts as well as plenty of coffee drinks. The Café @ Two70 and Park Café each serve light meals. Highlights at The Café @ Two70 include a tasty Thai chicken salad and three kinds of grilled cheese; Park Café may be your go-to spot for deli sandwiches.
If you're wondering what drinks are included on a Royal Caribbean cruise, the answer is simple. All guests can enjoy ice water, flavoured waters, brewed coffee, assorted teas, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk, lemonade, and fruit juices. These are dispensed at self-serve machines in Windjammer Café and other casual dining venues and served in the Main Dining Room and other restaurants.
What Food Is Not Included?
When you want to change things up, enjoy a favourite cuisine or celebrate a special occasion, there are a wide variety of specialty dining options, with the selection varying across the fleet. Popular venues include Chops Grille℠ for steakhouse fare, Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen for old-world classics, and Izumi for a Far East feast. There's even Jamie's Italian, a restaurant serving Tuscan-style fare by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. And, if trying a variety of culinary experiences is a priority, specialty dining packages are a cost-effective way to sample at least three options or as many specialty restaurants as you want. Plus, kids ages 6-12 can dine in a specialty restaurant for USD$12.99 and little ones age five and younger dine for free.
Not included in the cruise fare are: soda, wine, beer, liquor, cocktails, premium coffee and tea (such as Starbucks®), bottled water and fresh-squeezed juices. You can choose to pay as you go or purchase a beverage package.
What Activities Are Free?
Most must-try activities onboard our ships are included — allowing families to enjoy hours of onboard fun at no added cost. In addition to multiple pools and hot tubs and fully equipped fitness centres, all these activities are included (availability varies by ship).
In addition, all supervised Adventure Ocean® youth programs — Aquanauts for ages 3-5, Explorers for ages 6-8 and Voyagers for ages 9-11 — and hosted teen programs (for age groups 12-14 and 15-17) in the Living Room and Fuel Teen Club hangout space are free.
What Things Do You Pay For On A Cruise?
While Adventure Ocean® youth and teen programs are complimentary, there is an hourly charge for the Royal Babies & Tots drop-off nursery, available on select ships for children between 6 months and 3 years old.
Wi-Fi isn't included in your cruise fare; however, the rates are flexible (and there are certain suite categories that do include Wi-Fi when you book). You can surf and stream with VOOM® high speed internet access that is payable on a per day, per device basis or via a package, with discounted pre-cruise pricing. Royal Caribbean ships also offer wired iCafe internet stations, also for a fee. Royal Caribbean's free app comes in handy for staying connected with your group with its included guest-to-guest chat, along with many other helpful features to navigate the ship.
If your idea of relaxation includes head-to-toe pampering, you can indulge in our Vitality℠ Spa, but you'll need to pay extra for each service in both the spa and the salon as well as for fitness classes in the gym. Other activities with a fee: Royal Escape Room℠ experiences, arcade games, sushi-making and cupcake-decorating classes, professional photos, and any boutique purchases.
Is that all when it comes to what things do you pay for on a cruise? We also offer shore excursions in every port — all at an extra charge — but that doesn't mean you can't explore independently.
Guests who book Royal Suite Class (available on Oasis and Quantum Class ships) enjoy perks that range from exclusive spaces (Coastal Kitchen restaurant) and complimentary beverages to a Royal Genie (a specialty butler service) or concierge available to arrange VIP experiences. Benefits are offered on a tiered basis (Sea, Sky and Star Class suites), with the top category enjoying Royal Genie service along with complimentary specialty dining, beverage packages, gratuities, Wi-Fi and more.
Crown & Anchor® Society allows loyal guests to earn points and enjoy extra perks that include discounts on wine, beer, and soda (and vouchers for free daily drinks priced up to USD$14 when you reach Diamond Level), as well as discounts on Wi-Fi, spa services, photos, laundry service and onboard shop purchases. Higher-tier loyalty guests also gain access to special onboard events and Crown & Anchor exclusive booking rates.
WHAT'S INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE FARE WHEN CRUISING FROM SYDNEY AND BRISBANE
Download What's Included Guide
^Included on port days, subject to availability. Fees apply when the ship is at sea.
*Prices and offers are subject to availability and change without notice.
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