Royal Caribbean: What to Know Before You Go

Royal Caribbean ships can feel like destinations themselves, with restaurants, entertainment, activities, drink packages, internet packages, and---in many itineraries---a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

That also means the cruise fare is only the starting point for understanding what the trip will cost. Before sailing, know how check-in works, which charges are automatic, what your packages actually cover, which CocoCay experiences cost extra, and what you should never pack just because an online listing calls it “cruise approved.”

Quick Answer

1. Use the App for Check-In and Do Not Treat Arrival Time as Optional

Royal Caribbean currently recommends checking in through its app. The app lets you select a terminal arrival time, complete the health questionnaire when available, access your SetSail Pass, and begin parts of the safety briefing.

Website check-in is currently available up to 48 hours before sailing, while app check-in has an extended window until 8 a.m. on sailing day. Royal Caribbean says guests must be checked in no later than 90 minutes before scheduled departure, although port-specific operating hours can impose additional limits.

2. Your Cruise Fare Does Not Cover Every Vacation Expense

Royal Caribbean includes core cruise elements such as your stateroom, many dining options, entertainment, and selected onboard activities, but there are plenty of optional charges.

Depending on what you choose, extra spending can include:

• Beverage packages and individual drinks
• Specialty restaurants
• Wi-Fi
• Shore excursions
• Spa and salon services
• Some onboard activities
• Room service charges where applicable
• Private-island upgrades
• Gratuities/service charges
• Photos
• Casino spending
• Shopping

3. Gratuities Are a Real Daily Cost

Royal Caribbean’s current U.S. policy lists automatic daily service gratuities of:

Stateroom Current daily gratuity

---

Standard stateroom categories $18.50 per guest, per day Suites $21.00 per guest, per day

Guests who do not prepay have the amount added to their SeaPass account each day.

Royal Caribbean currently also adds:

• 18% to beverage and beverage-package purchases
• 18% to specialty dining and specialty-dining packages
• 18% to room service and minibar purchases
• 20% to spa and salon purchases

That means “I prepaid gratuities” does not necessarily mean no other gratuity will appear on optional purchases.

4. Price the Drink Package Against Your Actual Habits

Royal Caribbean sells multiple beverage-package levels rather than including unlimited alcoholic drinks in the basic cruise fare.

The important calculation is not whether a drink package sounds convenient. It is whether the package price for your sailing makes sense for what you realistically drink.

Check:

• Current Cruise Planner price
• Package inclusions
• Drink price limits/terms
• Gratuity
• Rules for adults sharing a stateroom
• Port-day drinking habits
• How many days you will actually use it
• Whether CocoCay is on the itinerary

Royal Caribbean currently says beverage packages purchased onboard or through My Royal Cruise/Cruise Planner work at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

5. VOOM Wi-Fi Can Follow You to CocoCay

Royal Caribbean’s internet product is VOOM. Package pricing and offers can vary by sailing, so check Cruise Planner rather than relying on an old screenshot or blog price.

One useful distinction from some cruise lines: Royal Caribbean currently says a purchased Wi-Fi package remains active at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

That matters if you plan to work, message family, upload photos, or use the internet during the island day.

6. Specialty Dining Can Add Up Quickly

Royal Caribbean ships generally have complimentary dining alongside specialty restaurants and dining packages.

Before buying a package, decide whether you actually want multiple specialty meals. Then check:

• Participating restaurants
• Number of meals or package coverage
• Reservation requirements
• Restaurant-specific surcharges/exclusions
• 18% gratuity
• Whether sea-day and prime-time reservations are likely to be competitive

If one restaurant is the main reason you want specialty dining, compare booking that meal individually with the cost and restrictions of a larger package.

7. Perfect Day at CocoCay Can Be Cheap---or an Expensive Port Day

Admission to Perfect Day at CocoCay is currently included in the cruise fare. Royal Caribbean also lists complimentary beaches, loungers and umbrellas, tram service, several dining venues, water and selected nonalcoholic drinks, Oasis Lagoon, and children’s splash areas among included offerings.

But premium experiences can cost extra, including options such as Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, cabanas, and other activities.

Royal Caribbean currently says purchased beverage packages and VOOM internet packages work on CocoCay.

8. Reserve High-Priority Experiences Before the Cruise

Large Royal Caribbean ships carry a lot of passengers, and popular dining times, excursions, and paid experiences can become limited.

Before sailing, open Cruise Planner and identify the things that would genuinely disappoint you if they sold out.

Prioritize:

• Must-do shore excursions
• Specialty restaurants
• CocoCay premium experiences
• Beverage/Wi-Fi packages if the current price works for you
• Entertainment reservations when your ship/sailing uses them
• Other capacity-controlled activities

For excursions, compare the ship’s option with independent tours rather than automatically assuming one is always better.

9. Pack for the Ship, but Check the Prohibited-Items List

Royal Caribbean’s current prohibited-items policy specifically restricts items that frequently appear in online “cruise hacks,” including extension cords, power strips, and multi-plug outlets. Limited exceptions exist for qualifying device/USB chargers.

Clothing irons and garment steamers are also prohibited.

For a complete packing checklist, use the KnowThisBefore Cruise Packing List and then apply Royal Caribbean’s current rules to it.

10. Cancellation Penalties Depend on Cruise Length---and Your Deposit May Be Nonrefundable

Royal Caribbean’s current U.S./Canada cancellation policy uses different schedules by cruise length.

For 5—14 night cruises, the current schedule is:

---

Cancellation timing Current charge

---

90+ days before sailing No charge, except nonrefundable deposit amounts

89—75 days 25% of total price

74—61 days 50%

60—31 days 75%

30 days or less 100%

Shorter 1—4 night cruises and cruises of 15 nights or longer use different schedules.

Some fare programs also require a nonrefundable deposit, which is not returned simply because the cancellation occurs before the percentage penalties begin.

11. Your Ship Matters Almost as Much as the Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean’s fleet varies substantially. A small or older ship and one of the newest large ships can deliver very different onboard experiences.

Before booking---or at least before sailing---look up your specific ship, not just Royal Caribbean generally.

Check:

• Complimentary restaurants
• Specialty restaurants
• Pools and adult areas
• Kids facilities
• Entertainment
• Included vs paid activities
• Cabin storage and outlets
• Ship-specific reservation requirements
• Whether features you saw in an advertisement are actually on your ship

Before You Go on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Checklist

• Download/update the Royal Caribbean app.
• Complete check-in and select your terminal arrival time.
• Verify passports, IDs, visas, and itinerary-specific documentation.
• Add daily gratuities to your trip budget if not prepaid.
• Check beverage-package pricing and terms for your sailing.
• Check VOOM pricing, devices, and package terms.
• Reserve must-have specialty dining and experiences.
• Compare shore excursions.
• Review what is free vs paid at CocoCay if visiting.
• Check the exact features on your ship.
• Review Royal Caribbean’s current prohibited-items policy.
• Keep documents, medication, valuables, and first-day necessities in your carry-on.
• Review your cancellation terms before changing the reservation.

FAQ

How early do I need to check in for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean currently says guests must be checked in no later than 90 minutes before scheduled sailing, but you should follow the arrival time and port instructions on your reservation.

How much are Royal Caribbean gratuities?

Royal Caribbean currently lists $18.50 per guest per day for standard stateroom categories and $21 per guest per day for suites. These rates can change.

Does my Royal Caribbean drink package work at CocoCay?

Yes. Royal Caribbean currently says beverage packages purchased onboard or through its pre-cruise system are active at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Does Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi work at CocoCay?

Yes. Royal Caribbean currently says purchased VOOM internet packages can be used on the island.

Is Perfect Day at CocoCay free?

Basic admission is included, and Royal Caribbean currently includes several beaches, pools, dining venues, loungers, umbrellas, tram transportation, and other amenities. Premium attractions and areas can cost extra.

Can I bring a power strip on Royal Caribbean?

Do not assume so. Royal Caribbean’s current prohibited-items policy restricts extension cords, power strips, and multi-plug outlets, with limited exceptions for certain qualifying device/USB chargers.

Plan Your Ride to the Cruise Terminal

If you are flying to your departure city, compare prebooked transfers with rideshare, taxis, rental cars, and any transportation offered by the cruise line.

Check transfer options with Suntransfers

The Bottom Line

Royal Caribbean can be a very different vacation depending on the ship and how many extras you add.

Before sailing, focus on five things: check in correctly, budget gratuities, price packages against your actual use, reserve the experiences that matter, and verify what is included on your specific ship and at CocoCay.

That prevents most of the expensive or frustrating surprises that first-time Royal Caribbean passengers discover too late.

Sources

• Royal Caribbean --- When Can I Check In for My Cruise?
• Royal Caribbean --- Service Gratuity Price and Policy
• Royal Caribbean --- Beverage Package Gratuities
• Royal Caribbean --- Prohibited Items Onboard Policy
• Royal Caribbean --- Cancellation and Refund Policy
• Royal Caribbean --- Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Royal Caribbean --- Using a Beverage Package at CocoCay
• Royal Caribbean --- Using Wi-Fi at CocoCay