What Is Included on a Cruise?

If you're new to ocean travel and ready to book a thrilling vacation, you're probably wondering what is included on a cruise. Your cruise fare covers most of what you'll experience — your stateroom, dining in a variety of locations, onboard entertainment and access to pools, hot tubs and other amenities and activities are typically part of your fare.

So what’s included on a cruise, and what do you pay extra for while on board? This guide will give you a clear understanding of complimentary amenities and all the ways you can upgrade your getaway with memory-making experiences for an additional fee.

Key Takeaways

● Your cruise fare includes your stateroom, complimentary dining, entertainment, hot tubs, fitness centers and most onboard activities.

● Complimentary dining is available throughout the day, with multiple restaurants and casual eateries included on every ship.

● Complimentary beverages typically include water, tea, lemonade, milk and select juices, while alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffees cost extra.

● Broadway-style shows, live music, ice skating performances, AquaTheater shows, kids clubs and many signature attractions are included on most Royal Caribbean ships.

● Optional add-ons like specialty dining, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments and beverage packages allow you to customize your vacation based on your preferences and budget.

What is Free on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Typically, your cruise covers tons of core amenities, dining and onboard experiences. This includes unlimited access to pools, hot tubs, Solarium access where applicable, general onboard amenities, Broadway-style entertainment and your stateroom.

With the price of your trip, you’ll have everything you need for an incredible, memory-making vacation with your group, with opportunities to upgrade where desired.

Is Your Stateroom Included?

Are Pools, Hot Tubs and Ship Amenities Included?

Of course! Pools, hot tubs and fitness center access are typically included in your cruise package. While ship amenities vary by vessel, core public areas are part of the fare. 

When not exploring ashore, your sea days can be spent relaxing by one of the complimentary pools, including the adults-only Solarium pool, or enjoying free activities such as card games and dance classes. You can tame the waves on the FlowRider® surf simulator or reach new heights on the rock-climbing wall and test your smarts with trivia contests. Get your adrenaline fix riding a zip line 10 decks up, or enjoy waterslides and Laser Tag games, all for free.

At night, the ships rev things up with complimentary dance parties and clubs, outdoor movies and Broadway-caliber entertainment. Royal Caribbean is known for offering some of the most innovative entertainment at sea. Performances in the Royal Theater are all included in your cruise fare, so you can enjoy award-winning Broadway musicals such as CATS, Hairspray and Mamma Mia! as well as dive shows in the AquaTheater, multimedia performances in Two70® and ice shows in Studio B. 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.

What Food is Included on a Cruise?

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. Complimentary restaurants cater to every foodie’s preference, whether you love casual dining, a big continental breakfast, quick snacks or fancy dining venues.

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 Pizza (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.

Which Complimentary Dining Venues Are Usually Included?

Top complimentary dining venues include the main dining room, Windjammer, Solarium Bistro, Park Café and El Loco Fresh®.

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 (or Windjammer Marketplace on some ships), another popular option, is a buffet-style choice. In the morning, you'll find custom-made omelets 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 options with more focused menus. No family-friendly ship would be complete without a poolside space that serves chicken tenders, hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies — and Splashaway Café is as popular as you would guess. Sorrento's Pizza, with its grab-and-go mouthwatering slices topped with cheese, pepperoni and even BBQ chicken, is a real crowd-pleaser. Grown-ups and kids alike flock to El Loco Fresh for insanely delicious Mexican burritos, tacos and quesadillas. 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. Looking for a snack? Mini Bites, located near the Sports Zone, serves sliders, taquitos and mini cupcakes, all with big flavor. If you're up early — or late for that matter — you'll be grateful for Pearl Café or Café Promenade, a 24-hour café that dishes out pastries, wraps and desserts as well as plenty of coffee drinks.

Café@Two70 and Park Café each serve light meals. Highlights at Café@Two70 include a tasty Thai chicken salad and three kinds of grilled cheese; Park Café may become your go-to spot for deli sandwiches. 

Is Room Service Included?

Room service is included for continental breakfast, including coffee, tea, toast and cereal, which can be delivered directly to your room at no additional cost.

Additional dining options are available through the 24/7 room service menu, with a $7.95 room service charge plus applicable fees.

What Drinks Are Included on a Cruise?

What Food and Drinks Aren’t Included on a Cruise?

Specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, soda, premium coffee, bottled water and fresh-squeezed juices usually cost extra.

When you want to change things up, enjoy a favorite cuisine or try a new one, there’s a wide variety of specialty dining options, with the selection varying across the fleet. While there are countless complimentary options on board, specialty dining and drinks help elevate your trip and give you even more ways to enjoy life at sea.

Which Dining Options Cost Extra?

Popular specialty restaurants include Chops Grille℠ for steakhouse fare, Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen for old-world classics, Izumi for a Far East feast and 150 Central Park for seasonal fine dining. There's even Jamie's Italian, a restaurant serving Tuscan-style fare by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Celebrating a special occasion or hoping for a once-in-a-lifetime banqueting experience? Specialty dining is an optional upgrade that goes above and beyond complimentary options to deliver something special. 

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 at a specialty restaurant for a reduced rate, and little ones ages 5 and younger dine for free.

Which Drinks Cost Extra?

What Activities Are Included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Most must-try activities on board Royal Caribbean ships are included, allowing families to enjoy hours of fun at no added cost. Activities are included for every age, and availability varies by ship.

Icon of the Seas® and its fellow Icon Class ships offer even more included amenities, including Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, and Surfside®, a family-friendly neighborhood with an aqua park, infinity pool and climbable Playscape℠.

*Venue names may vary per ship. For the list of dining or entertainment venues, be sure to review things to do on your ship.

What Entertainment Is Included?

On Royal Caribbean cruises, there’s no shortage of free entertainment. Marvel at Broadway-style shows, thrilling ice skating presentations and visual wonders at the AquaTheater. Then, get involved in the action through karaoke, dance parties, outdoor movies and live theater performances. And if live music is your jam, you’ll find a variety of options for every music taste spread throughout the ships.

These performances and first-hand entertainment options are all free and incredible ways to spend your days at sea.

What Onboard Activities Are Free?

Top free activities on board include waterslides, FlowRider, ice skating, mini golf, various sports and more.

While cruising, your kids will never use the dreaded “B” word: bored. With physical and family-friendly attractions, your group will have plenty of opportunities for friendly competition, athletic fun and non-stop action. In addition to multiple pools and hot tubs and fully equipped fitness centers, here are just some of the complimentary onboard activities:

● Waterslides (Category 6, The Perfect Storm®, Tidal Wave℠, Riptide℠, The Blaster®).

● Ultimate Abyss℠ dry slide.

● Splashaway Bay kids aqua park.

● FlowRider surf simulator.

● Rock-climbing wall.

● Ice skating.

● Laser tag.

● Ziplining.

● Mini golf.

● Pickleball.

● Basketball.

● Bumper cars.

● Carousel rides.

Just keep in mind that availability varies by ship.

Are Kids Clubs Included on a Cruise?

What Do You Pay Extra for on a Cruise?

Are Gratuities Included on a Cruise?

Is Wi-Fi Included on a Cruise?

Are Kids Clubs Included on a Cruise?

Do Spa Treatments and Fitness Classes Cost Extra?

Are Shore Excursions Included?

No. Royal Caribbean offers shore excursions in every port — all at an extra charge — but that doesn't mean you can't explore independently.

If you're cruising the Caribbean and call on the private island, Perfect Day CocoCay, you can enjoy quite a bit for free, including the Oasis Lagoon® pool, Splashaway Bay℠ aqua park and beaches like Chill Island℠ and South Beach. There is a charge for premium experiences, such as Thrill Waterpark (with 14 waterslides); Zip Line; Up, Up & Away helium balloon ride; Coco Beach Club®; the adults-only Hideaway Beach, as well as cabana and daybed rentals.

What Other Add-Ons Might You Pay For?

While Adventure Ocean youth and teen programs are complimentary, there is an hourly charge for the Royal Babies and Tots℠ drop-off nursery, available on select ships for children between 6 months and 3 years old.

Guests who book Royal Suite Class (available on Icon, 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 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 vs. Not Included on a Cruise?

General amenities, dining and entertainment are completely free as part of your cruise fare:

● Stateroom.

● Complimentary dining options (dining room, buffets, grab-and-go spots).

● Continental breakfast delivered via room service.

● Ice water, coffee, tea, lemonade and juices.

● Onboard entertainment (Broadway shows, ice shows, AquaTheater shows, live music and more).

● Pools and hot tubs.

● Onboard activities (waterslides, surf simulator, zipline, laser tag, rock climbing, bumper cars, mini golf and more).

● Fitness center.

● Adventure Ocean Kids program and teen clubs (ages 3-17).

● App with guest-to-guest chat features.

Extra add-ons like specialty dining, Wi-Fi and alcoholic drinks come at an additional cost:

● Specialty dining.

● 24/7 room service: $7.95 plus tax and fees per room order.

● Alcoholic beverages and soda.

● Wi-Fi.

● Spa treatments.

● Shore excursions.

● Royal Babies and Tots Nursery: $9-$12 per hour per child.

● Laundry services.

*Prices and offers are subject to availability and change without notice.

FAQ: What Else Should You Know About Cruise Costs?

Is Room Service Included?

Yes, continental breakfast delivered through room service is included at no additional cost. If you'd like to order from the full room service menu outside of continental breakfast hours, a service fee applies.

Are Drinks Included?

Yes, several beverages are included in your cruise fare, including ice water, brewed coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade, milk and select fruit juices available in complimentary dining venues. Alcoholic beverages, soda, bottled water, specialty coffee drinks and fresh-squeezed juices are available for an additional charge or through a beverage package.

Are Kids Clubs Included?

Yes. The complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program is included for children ages 3 to 12, and supervised teen programs for ages 13 to 17 are also included. Families traveling with infants and toddlers should note that the Royal Babies & Tots℠ Nursery is available on select ships for an hourly fee.

Do Suites Include Extra Perks?

Yes. Guests staying in Royal Suite Class accommodations on select ships receive additional benefits that vary by suite category. Depending on your suite, perks may include priority boarding, concierge or Royal Genie service, complimentary Wi-Fi, beverage packages, specialty dining, gratuities and access to exclusive venues. The specific benefits depend on whether you book a Sea, Sky or Star Class suite.

Ready To Plan Your Cruise?

Royal Caribbean gives you the freedom to vacation how you want. Want to stick to the complimentary activities, dining, entertainment and amenities? Great! You’ll have an amazing trip with everything you could possibly want. Ready to go big and make your trip extra special with extra add-ons? Incredible! There are plenty of ways to customize and bundle your trip for maximum fun.

Prefer a quick visual breakdown? Check out the infographic of what’s included in your cruise fare.

No matter what your dream trip looks like, Royal Caribbean has a cruise perfect for your group.