You’re excited about your newly-booked Royal Caribbean cruise. You’ve picked the perfect itinerary, scored the best cabin, and are now dreaming about poolside cocktails. So that’s the hard part done. Not quite. In fact, you’re not even close to planning the perfect dream Caribbean cruise. I’ve learned the hard way—there are a ton of mistakes you can still make before boarding.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships are floating resorts. Think next-level food, wild activities, and stunning ports in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. But before my first cruise, I made some novice mistakes that nearly wrecked the fun. Guess what? After reading countless Reddit threads and comments on Cruise Critic, I’m not the only one.
Read on to discover what I got totally wrong and the smart moves that made up for my blunders.
7 Big Mistakes I Regretted Making
I thought the weeks leading up to my cruise vacation would be smooth sailing. It turns out that I hit almost every rookie reef on the map. From nearly missing departure time to leaving it late to book excursions and overpacking, the first few days on board were like charting choppy waters.
I Flew in the Morning of My Cruise (Cue Panic Mode)
I wish I’d listened to the advice on every cruise forum: never fly in on embarkation day. I thought arriving in Fort Lauderdale with eight hours to spare was safe. But a delayed connection later, I was sweating in the taxi on the way to the cruise terminal, praying I’d get to the ship on time. Thankfully, I made it, albeit sweaty and stressed.
I’ve read similar horror stories of delayed flights, lost luggage, or bad traffic, making getting to the cruise terminal felt like being a contestant on The Amazing Race.
Now, I always fly at least one day early and book a cheap hotel. Other cruisers recommend Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea. Book flights through the cruise line, and they’ll guarantee that you’ll board the ship.
Check out my list of other booking mistakes you must avoid to enjoy a cruise on Royal Caribbean.
I Thought Every Royal Caribbean Ship Had the Cool Stuff (Spoiler: Nope)
I saw Royal Caribbean’s spectacular AquaTheater and Broadway shows on YouTube and mistakenly thought they were standard. So I was disappointed on Freedom of the Seas because the entertainment wasn’t what I expected. However, the shows at the Marquee and the FlowRider simulator were fun.
Many experienced cruisers recommend booking by ship, not date, if possible. Thoroughly check the ship’s class and features before booking. What’s on Utopia of the Seas won’t be on Adventure of the Seas.
Check out my article: The Best & Worst Royal Caribbean Ships Ranked by Reviews. It can help you plan the perfect cruise, so you know what to expect onboard.
I Skipped One Click—and We Couldn’t Eat Together
I booked the same cruise as friends but didn’t realize we should have linked reservations together. As a result, we were assigned different dining times, sat at separate tables, and couldn’t book excursions together without extra hassle. It’s such a simple thing that makes cruising more fun and memorable.
Top tip: Link reservations in the Cruise Planner or by calling Royal. It takes five minutes and saves days of logistical headaches onboard.
I Laughed at the Drink Package (Until My Bar Tab Made Me Cry)
Paying over $100 per day on the deluxe drink package seemed outrageous. But, after a few sea-day cocktails, poolside margaritas, and wine with dinner, my onboard tab was racking up. My take: Compared to drinking at home, it’s expensive. But compared to buying drinks onboard, it can be cost-effective.
The online consensus is to do the math. Work out how much you’re likely to drink each day, add on gratuities, and compare with the cost of the beverage package.
Don’t forget, on port-intensive itineraries, the value of the Royal Caribbean drink package plummets as it doesn’t cover buying drinks onshore, apart from Perfect Day CocoCay.
For the best prices on a drink package, the best advice seems to be to keep an eye out for pre-cruise discounts.
I Didn’t Watch for Price Drops—And Paid Full Price Like a Chump
I booked our cabin months out and never looked back. Then I found out Royal will adjust your fare if the price drops—if you booked a refundable rate. By the time I checked, it was too late. On Cruise Critic, several travelers said they saved hundreds just by watching sales and calling in.
My tip: Book a refundable rate if you can, then track fares regularly. If it drops, call Royal or your travel agent to reprice.
I Showed Up With Zero Port Plan—And Regretted It All Day
I figured I’d just wing it in port. It sounded straightforward: grab a taxi and pay for a personal, guided tour of St. Thomas. Little did I realize the chaos that would occur with thousands of passengers disembarking at the same time. I ended up walking aimlessly around Charlotte Amalie, not really knowing much about the port city.
Now, I always have a thorough plan for each port of call, know what’s walkable, and know the best times to visit attractions.
I Overpacked—And Still Forgot Cruise Essentials
My suitcase was bursting with “just in case” outfits—but I forgot basics like sunscreen, motion sickness meds, and a power strip. The result? My cabin got quickly cluttered, and I overspent on simple items from the onboard shop. I wished I’d followed the advice of experienced cruisers to bring a few items to mix and match.
Want to travel light but still have the essentials? Check out my article: Minimalist Cruise Packing List for a 7-Day Caribbean Sailing.
16 Smart Moves That Saved Me (Or I Wish I Did Sooner)
Thankfully, not everything went overboard. I had done plenty of planning and organizing that helped me cruise more smoothly, smarter, and with way fewer regrets—despite my mistakes. Here are ways you can ensure a dream sailing with Royal Caribbean.
I Used the App to Grab Early Check-In
The Royal Caribbean app is the key to booking everything you want before you sail. I used it to check in as soon as it was open and snagged an early boarding time. I also used it to book specialty dining and get discounts on a basic WiFi package. It’s also ideal for messaging friends and family onboard.
Here’s what worked for me, download the app right after booking, link your reservation, and set reminders for check-in and activity openings.
I Reserved Every Show Before I Even Packed
Without a doubt, flashy theater productions are something Royal Caribbean does the best. So, I ensured that I would pre-reserve show tickets through the Royal App weeks before sailing, and it paid off. Right before showtime, many passengers were stuck in standby lines. This way, I got to see the Great White Way at the Marquee and Once Upon a Time.
As soon as reservations in the Royal App open, grab your must-sees. You can always cancel or swap times later.
I Got My Luggage Tags Done Before Arriving at the Terminal
Want to make embarkation so much smoother? Do what I did: print out luggage tags at home and put them in clear holders. At the cruise terminal, I saw other passengers scrambling for tape or dealing with torn tags, and they looked pretty stressed.
This simple pre-cruise hack is something easy to do at home and makes getting on board a breeze. Let’s face it—embarkation is stressful enough already.
I Joined a Facebook Group and Learned More Than Any Blog Could Tell Me
I stumbled on a Facebook group and Cruise Critic Roll Call specifically for Freedom of the Seas sailing—it felt like I’d struck gold. I learned about theme nights, secret menu items, which shows to book first, and even connected with fellow cruisers before we boarded. Many passengers say these groups gave them “insider tips” they never found on cruise blogs.
The best way to prepare for your cruise is to search for your ship’s name and sail date on Cruise Critic and Facebook. You’ll connect with experienced cruisers and get answers to obscure questions. I’ve always found everyone to be surprisingly helpful.
I Watched Cabin Reviews on YouTube Instead of Just Trusting the Deck Map
Even though I studied deck plans before choosing my cabin, I found it most helpful to watch YouTube videos. On paper, some cabins seemed spacious, but in reality, they were cramped and had an awkward layout. I also learned the trick of avoiding cabins below the Windjammer or pool deck.
Search for your ship and cabin type on YouTube and listen to what real cruisers are saying about it.
Further reading: Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Cabins (According to Reviews).
I Compared Royal and Third-Party Excursions—Then Picked What Actually Worked
I gave myself plenty of time to explore all options for shore excursions. At first, I thought about booking through Royal Caribbean for peace of mind. But there was a vast difference in price between them and independent operators. However, I was nervous about booking tours alone in a foreign port.
This is where being in a Facebook cruise group paid off. I was able to hook up with a group of experienced cruisers who were organizing a private excursion for a fraction of the price Royal Caribbean was charging.
I Prepaid Gratuities—So I Didn’t Stress About It Later
One less thing to worry about before the cruise was paying gratuities at the time of booking. This way, I figured that I’d avoid the mental math at the end of the cruise and know exactly what my final bill would look like.
I read about some cruisers who were caught off guard by the automatic charges for drinks, spa treatments, and specialty dining. Prepaying as much as you can simplifies onboard spending and avoids nasty surprises later.
I Packed Magnetic Hooks, a Power Strip, and an Over-the-Door Organizer
Let’s face it: Standard Royal Caribbean cabins aren’t exactly spacious. So, investing in a few cheap space-saving items really helps to reduce clutter. Magnetic hooks were ideal for hats, swimsuits, light jackets, and lanyards. The hanging organizer kept toiletries and random essentials organized, and a non-surge power strip with USB ports increased the number of outlets.
For more ideas on how to keep a cabin organized, check out my article: 29 Cabin Hacks to Maximize Comfort and Space.
I Signed Up for Crown & Anchor Before Sailing
It’s free and takes two minutes—sign up for Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program for extra perks. The benefits kick in after your first cruise, and you can get discounts on drinks, specialty dining, and a private departure lounge.
To learn more about Crown & Anchor perks, check out my reviews of the Emerald Tier, Diamond Tier, and Diamond Plus Tier benefits. You can also discover how Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program stacks up against other cruise lines.
I Packed Theme Night Outfits (and Didn’t Regret It)
I almost skipped packing for one of Royal Caribbean’s theme nights. To be honest, I thought it would be cheesy. But when White Night rolled around and I showed up ready, I had one of the most fun, carefree nights onboard. Everyone was dressed up, dancing, and totally into it.
Theme nights vary by itinerary and ship, so check out your sailing schedule and bring an outfit to match. Honestly, you’ll probably love it too.
I Brought My Own Bottle of Wine and Toasted the Sailaway
Royal Caribbean lets you bring one bottle of wine per adult at embarkation, and I took full advantage. While others were lining up at the bar, I was already on my balcony, glass in hand, watching the sailaway in peace. I also saved a small fortune—$10 from my local liquor store in contrast to around $50 onboard.
Many cruisers in Facebook groups say this is one of the best budget-friendly perks Royal offers. Save on the corkage fee by ensuring the bottle of wine has a screw top.
I Set a Soft Budget—Then Stuck to It Without Feeling Deprived
It’s no secret in the cruise industry that you get nickel-and-dimed fast with over-the-top prices for everything. So, I decided to set a flexible spending cap and stick to it. I was able to splurge when I wanted to without feeling like a cheapskate. I also avoided the dreaded last-day bill shock.
The best advice I found was this: Load onboard credit if you have it, set daily limits, and use the Royal app to monitor charges. A little planning goes a long way.
I Checked My Passport Way Early—And Thank Goodness I Did
By chance, I discovered that your passport must be valid for at least six months from the end of the cruise. Thankfully, I checked in good time and was able to renew it before boarding.
But others haven’t been so fortunate. I’ve read horror stories of being denied boarding because their passports were to expire a month or two after the sailing. The passengers assumed that because the travel documents were valid, they were good to go.
Lesson learned? Check your passport’s expiration date. If it’s within six months of your return, renew it immediately.
I Packed a Carry-On to Make the Most of the First Few Hours on Board
Want to make the most of your first few hours on board? Cruise smart and pack a carry-on with a change of clothes, phone charger, essential meds, swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat. You can hit the pool and be sipping on a frozen cocktail while others are waiting in their cabin for hours until their luggage arrives.
The golden rule is to pack your carry-on with anything you need to relax before dinner.
I Called Royal to Add Dietary Notes to My Reservation
I’ve got food allergies, and I was relieved to learn that Royal Caribbean takes food allergies seriously. At the Main Dining Room, the waitstaff already knew and I didn’t have to explain every night. All you need to do is inform the cruise line at least 45 days before sailing if you need lactose-free, kosher, or have other special meal requests.
I Downloaded Offline Entertainment and Cruise Documents to My Phone
I decided to be well-prepared before boarding and download a ton of movies and music to spend some downtime in my cabin. I also took digital copies of all essential documents, just in case something happened.
Knowing I had plenty of entertainment helped me enjoy a stress-free cruise. I also resisted the temptation to splurge on a more expensive WiFi package for streaming.
Getting it Right First Time: Sailing with Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean knows how to deliver an unforgettable vacation, and a little prep goes a long way to making it truly memorable. Avoiding these rookie mistakes and learning some smart moves made my cruise smoother, cheaper, and way more fun. Wishing you calm seas, full cocktails, and zero regrets on your next adventure.
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