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If youre shopping for a traditional cruise, chances are youll consider Royal Caribbean.
The household name amongbig-ship cruise linesis the second-largest carrier on the seas (after Carnival).
Another four mega-ships are under construction.
Credit:Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruise
Even Royal Caribbeans smallest vessels hold more than 2,400 passengers, so by any definition, theyre big.
Here are their tips and tricks for first-time Royal Caribbean guests.
Don’t wait to book.
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Its a piece of advice that goes for most cruise lines.
Its not like airfare where you could wait on the chance that prices will go down.
Make show reservations in advance, too.
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asks Rob Clabbers, aTravel + LeisureA-List advisor and founder ofQ Cruise + Travel.
Study the ship layout before your cruise.
If youre like me, the anticipation of a cruise is half the fun.
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Use the weeks and months before your sailing to study deck plans and hone in on your favorite amenities.
Get a jump on online check-in.
It makes the cruise terminal experience way faster, says Hochberg.
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About 30 days in advance, theyll give you a check-in window.
Arrive right around that time and youll breeze through you dont even stop moving.
Opt for a drinks package.
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Everything else costs extra often a lot extra.
Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on.
Royal Caribbean ships have so many great pools and water features, says Hochberg.
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And they get really crowded.
Get ahead of the other passengers by packing a swimsuit in your daypack or carry-on.
Embarkation day is one of the best times to go to the pools, Hochberg adds.
If youre traveling with kids, you’ll be glad you stashed those suits in your bag.
Splurge on a suite.
Most suites start at around 300 square feet and go up from there both in dimensions and price.
Asses how much drinking youll really do.
Find your place in the sun.
If you just want to be outside, there are other chairs.
Walk to the front or back of the ship.
Consider a balcony cabin.
Balconies are the most popular option, says Hochberg.
Though they cost more than an interior or non-balcony room, theyre still reasonably priced compared to suites.
Choose an older ship.
Look for no-kid zones.
Royal Caribbean is a family-friendly cruise line there are a slew of facilities and programs made just for kids.
But if you prefer a more adult experience, Royal Caribbean offers options.
Certain areas are adults-only, such as the casino and nightclubs, says Hochberg.
Later dinner seatings also mean fewer young kids.
Hochberg also says that on longer sailings those past seven nights the amount of kids drops precipitously.
If you cant snag a show reservation, try walking in.
But dont give up, says Hochberg.
Show up at least 30 minutes before the show, even if it’s sold out, he says.
Youll almost certainly be able to get in, as people blow off their [advance] reservations.
Cost out The Key program.
Look into third-party excursions.
But that doesnt mean you have to stay on board or near the port all day.
Of course, Royal Caribbean offers shore excursions wherever they go, says Clabbers.
Clabbers likesShore Excursions GroupandProject Expedition.
BYOB to a point.
Skip the transatlantic cruise if you’re a first-timer.
Transatlanticrepositioning cruisesare not ideal for first-time Royal Caribbean passengers, according to Hochberg.
Transatlantic cruises are like a fine wine.
They are long cruises with lots of sea days, and are very susceptible to the weather.
