Plan your perfect first cruise
The best cruise for first-timers is the one where nobody has to compromise, and that's Royal Caribbean®. You can ride waterslides with the family in the morning, nap by the adults-only pool in the afternoon and catch a Broadway show at night, with your stateroom, complimentary dining, activities, and entertainment all included at no extra cost. That’s why Travel Weekly readers have voted Royal Caribbean Best Cruise Line Overall for 23 years running.
THE BEST
VACATION
➔
2-25
Night Cruises
200+
Ports Worldwide
30+
Award-Winning Ships
4
Private Destinations
100M+
Guests sailed
What’s Included With Your Cruise Fare
(At Literally No Extra Cost)
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
➔
Youth Programs
WINDJAMMER BUFFET
DINING ROOM
GRAB & GO SPOTS
WATERSLIDES
ROCK CLIMBING
SPLASHAWAY BAY
SORRENTO’S PIZZA
SPRINKLES
SOLARIUM
POOLS
HOT TUBS
BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS
AQUATHEATER SHOWS
ICE SKATING SHOWS
COMEDY SHOWS
LIVE MUSIC
KARAOKE
SPORTS COURT
ZIP LINE
FLOWRIDER
ULTIMATE ABYSS
ICE SKATING
MINI GOLF
BUMPER CARS
CAROUSEL
THEME PARTIES
And So
Much More
SIGN UP FOR ROYAL DEALS
Choose your Destination
The best first cruise destination is the one that matches how you like to vacation. Want warm water and easy beach days? Head to the Caribbean or Mexico. Craving glaciers and wildlife? Pick Alaska. Dreaming of castles, cobblestones and a new country every few days? Sail Europe. Whichever you choose, you unpack once and wake up somewhere new.
Caribbean
- 3-9 night cruises
- Roundtrip from Florida, Texas, or New York
- Private destinations at Perfect Day CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
- Best for family weekend getaways and bachelor parties
Mexico
- 3-8 night cruises
- Roundtrip from Los Angeles or San Diego
- Beach towns, tequila tastings, coastal scenery
- Best for birthdays and couple trips
South-Side Escapes From Barbados
When it comes to exotic island sights, the southern Caribbean never disappoints. Discover some of its top-rated isles — like laid-back Aruba and Curaçao, culture-rich St. Maarten and spellbinding St. Lucia — on seven-night adventures from Barbados onboard Grandeur of the Seas®.
Itinerary:
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Cruising
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Willemstad, Curacao
• Cruising
• Philipsburg, St. Marteen
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Bridgetown, Barbados
Europe
- 3-11 night cruises
- Depart from Rome, Barcelona, or Southampton
- See historic cities and iconic monuments across the Mediterranean
- Best for history, food and culture
Award-winning Private Destinations
Introducing Ultimate Destinations℠ by Royal Caribbean®, a lineup of the world’s best private destinations. The best private destination for a first cruise is Perfect Day CocoCay, voted Best Private Island by Travel Weekly readers six years running. Your ship brings you right to the island, admission is free, and one day features waterslides, pools and beaches for every age. If the ultimate beach day is more your rhythm, kick back in style at Royal Beach Clubs℠ in Nassau, Santorini, Cozumel, and Lelepa, Vanuatu.
Best Cruise Ships For First Timers
The best Royal Caribbean cruise for first-timers is the ship that sails where you want to go, from a port near you. Star of the Seas offers weeklong Caribbean cruises from Orlando. Wonder and Freedom of the Seas take short trips to The Bahamas from Miami, and Ovation of the Seas sails to Mexico from Los Angeles. Pick your destination, then choose the ship that fits your crew.
Star of the Seas
- 7 night Caribbean cruises
- Roundtrip from Orlando (Port Canaveral)
- A giant family playground at sea, with the largest waterpark at sea, seven pools and 40+ ways to dine and drink
- Best for a full week of family adventure
Wonder of the Seas
- 3-4 night Bahamas cruises
- Roundtrip from Miami
- A big ship built for short cruises, with waterslides, a splash zone for kids, adults-only entertainment and 30+ ways to dine and drink
- Best for weekend getaways
Ovation of the Seas
- 3-4 night Mexico cruises
- Roundtrip from Los Angeles
- Newly Amplified with a resort-style pool deck, bumper cars, sky diving simulator and 25+ ways to dine and drink
- Best cruise ship in California
South-Side Escapes From Barbados
When it comes to exotic island sights, the southern Caribbean never disappoints. Discover some of its top-rated isles — like laid-back Aruba and Curaçao, culture-rich St. Maarten and spellbinding St. Lucia — on seven-night adventures from Barbados onboard Grandeur of the Seas®.
Itinerary:
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Cruising
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Willemstad, Curacao
• Cruising
• Philipsburg, St. Marteen
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Bridgetown, Barbados
Freedom of the Seas
- 4-5 night Bahamas cruises
- Roundtrip from Miami
- A classic Royal ship with waterslides, a surf simulator and rock climbing, and many ways to dine and drink
- Best for a first short cruise
After you book
After you book your first cruise, the fun is in making it your own. Use the Royal Caribbean app to check in and plan your days, then add upgrades like shore excursions and drink, dining and Wi-Fi packages before you sail to get the best prices. Just make sure your travel documents are ready, since you'll need them to board.
Royal App
- Free to download from the App Store and Play Store
- Check in online by scanning your passport, taking a security photo and choosing an arrival time
- Use it onboard for free on ship Guest Wi-Fi, with no internet package needed
Shore Excursions
- Book before you sail through the Royal App, because popular excursions sell out
- Choose by mood, from adrenaline rushes to relaxing days, with private and group tours available
- Accessible excursions are offered on itineraries around the world
DRINKS, DINING, WI-FI
- Three drink packages: Classic Soda, Refreshment and Deluxe
- Specialty dining packages save up to 40% and cover 3 restaurants or unlimited dining
- VOOM Wi-Fi is available on every ship for purchase, for up to four devices.
South-Side Escapes From Barbados
When it comes to exotic island sights, the southern Caribbean never disappoints. Discover some of its top-rated isles — like laid-back Aruba and Curaçao, culture-rich St. Maarten and spellbinding St. Lucia — on seven-night adventures from Barbados onboard Grandeur of the Seas®.
Itinerary:
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Cruising
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Willemstad, Curacao
• Cruising
• Philipsburg, St. Marteen
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Bridgetown, Barbados
Travel Documents
- A passport is the best ID for cruising, valid for 6 months after your cruise ends
- U.S. citizens can sometimes cruise with a birth certificate and photo ID on closed-loop sailings, but a passport is preferred
- Keep documents with you at the terminal, not in your luggage
Helpful Guides for First-Timers
What To Know Before Your First Cruise
Cruise Travel Insurance: What It Covers and Why You Might Need It
What to Bring on a Cruise Vacation: 6 Must-pack Items
Know These 12 Cruise Slang Terms Before Setting Sail
FIRST TIME CRUISER FAQs
Planning your first cruise? Here are answers to some of the most common questions first time cruisers ask — from saving money to smart planning tips that make your vacation effortless.
For first time cruisers, a few simple cruise hacks can make everything smoother:
- Download the Royal Caribbean app before sailing to manage daily plans, dining and entertainment reservations, shore excursions, and more. You can also complete your check-in on the Royal app to make embarkation day a breeze.
- Prepare your group's travel documents. Everyone will need to present an accepted form of identification to board the ship based on their nationality/country of citizenship. Guests who arrive without appropriate travel documents may be denied boarding.
- Explore the ship on day one to discover all the exciting onboard experiences waiting for you.
Still have questions? Check out our guide with first time cruise tips for even more cruise hacks.
Royal Caribbean cruises are designed to be cashless. Once onboard, your SeaPass® card (linked to your preferred payment method) is used for everything from specialty dining and drinks to spa treatments and shore excursions. Plus, your SeaPass® also functions as your room key and ID.
That said, it’s still a good idea to bring a small amount of cash for local shopping in ports, transportation, tips and other extracurriculars in ports.
Wondering how much cash to bring on a cruise? Most find that $200–$300 per person in small bills is more than enough for a typical cruise.
One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to take advantage of everything that’s already included in your cruise fare (at literally no extra cost):
- All-you-can-eat dining, from expansive buffets and elegant main dining rooms to quick grab-and-go spots
- Thrilling onboard activities, like waterslides, the FlowRider® surf simulator, rock climbing, and more
- Broadway-style entertainment, live shows, and nonstop performances
- Award-winning kids and teens programs designed for every age
With the core of your vacation already included, here are some top cruise hacks to save money on shore excursions, staterooms, Wi-Fi, drinks, and more:
- Choose the stateroom that best fits your adventure, with options available for every budget.
- Reserve beverage packages, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions before your sailing, when pre-cruise discounts are often available. Check out the Royal App to see what is available on your sailing.
Find discounts and deals for Royal Caribbean cruises here.
Most first-time cruisers choose a 3 to 7 night cruise. A 3 to 4 night sailing to The Bahamas or Mexico is an easy way to try cruising, and a 7-night cruise gives you time for sea days, several ports and more of the ship. Alaska and Europe typically need a week or more.
A passport is the best ID for a cruise. Make sure it's valid for at least 6 months after your cruise ends. On most sailings from the U.S., U.S. citizens can also board with an original birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID, but requirements vary by departure port and itinerary. Check requirements for your sailing here.
Your fare includes your stateroom with daily housekeeping, meals at complimentary restaurants like the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, and entertainment like Broadway-style shows and live music. It also covers onboard activities like the pools, waterslides, rock climbing, the kids and teens program and the Royal Caribbean app.
Specialty dining, most drinks, Wi-Fi, spa services, shore excursions and gratuities are not included.
In the weeks leading up to your cruise, make sure to check in on the Royal Caribbean app and choose an arrival time. Then, on embarkation day, you can expect a quick, organized start to your vacation. Arrive at the terminal during the arrival time you selected and hand your bags to the porters, who deliver them to your stateroom later that day. Make sure to have your travel documents on you at all times in the terminal. Carry a day bag with your swimsuit and sunscreen. Once aboard, pick up your SeaPass card, finish the safety briefing and head to the sail-away party.
Yes. Travel insurance is optional and isn't required to board. The Royal Caribbean Travel Protection Program covers medical, baggage and evacuation costs, plus a Cancel For Any Reason benefit. Compare coverage and terms before you choose.
