What’s included on Royal Caribbean?

With a huge fleet of 28 ships, among which are the largest cruise ships in the entire world, Royal Caribbean is one of most popular choices when it comes to cruise holidays. And it’s no surprise: Royal Caribbean cruises offer some of the most innovative and mind-blowing experiences it’s possible to find at sea – from terrifying high-ropes courses over open ocean to immersive wild-west dining experiences inside onboard train carriages…

But, before you hop aboard to discover the endless fun to be had, you need to be clear: what’s included on Royal Caribbean and what’s extra? The company’s cruises are often pleasingly budget-friendly, but as they’re not an all-inclusive cruise line you don’t want to be surprised by any hidden costs. You might have burning questions like ‘‘Do I have to pay for all my meals on Royal Caribbean?” or you’d like to know exactly what the drinks situation is.

Well, we’re here to help you figure out what’s really included on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.

– READ MORE: Best all-inclusive cruises that include alcohol –

While many aspects of Royal Caribbean cruises are included in the price when you book, it is not an all-inclusive cruise line. Wi-fi, gratuities, speciality dining, spa treatments, shore excursions and select activities onboard are all at an additional cost.

So what do you actually get included? It may sound like a lot is extra, but you do still receive a huge amount within a standard booking.

This includes: 

• Your chosen accommodation
• A selection of free onboard activities such as: zip-lines, bumper cars, dance classes, Flow Rider* surf simulator, the Ultimate Abyss* (highest free-fall slide at sea), rock climbing*, ice skating*, laser tag, mini golf, pickleball, archery & more
• Fitness facilities 
• Swimming pools
• Full board dining at a minimum of five restaurants on every ship. Includes Main Dining Room, the Buffet (global cuisine), Sorrento’s (Italian), Windjammer Cafe and Dog House (hot dogs)
• Casinos
• Soft drinks: ice water, flavoured waters, brewed coffee, assorted teas, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk, lemonade and fruit juice
• Youth programmes and kids clubs for ages 3-17

*Only available on select ships

– READ MORE: The coolest things onboard Utopia of the Seas –

If that doesn’t sound like quite enough and you’re keen to try out more (VIP activities and a cocktail or two?), then there’s good news – depending on the level of cabin or suite you book, you’ll receive more inclusions on your cruise. Star Class is your best bet for those looking for something similar to an all-inclusive experience during a Royal Caribbean cruise. It’s not a fully all-inclusive package – the cruise line doesn’t offer these in order to keep base rates at a minimum – but there are lots of perks. 

So, what’s included on Royal Caribbean Star Class and what is it? Star Class is for guests staying in the highest-end suites and is available on Quantum, Oasis and Icon Class ships like the new Utopia of the Seas. It provides several extras included in the price, most notably: 

• All speciality dining
• Deluxe beverage packages
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Priority boarding and disembarkation
• Priority access and exclusive activities (e.g. peeking behind the scenes to see how a mega-ship runs)
• Suite lounge access
• Additional in-suite amenities like a restocked mini-bar and plush bathrobes. 

The biggest perk of all? You get a Royal Genie!

You don’t even have to rub a lamp to summon this genie: they are essentially your personal butler and are on hand to help Star Class guests’ cruises run as smoothly as possible. They’ll escort you onboard, arrange dining and entertainment bookings, make suggestions once they’ve got to know you a little and plenty more besides. Like all the best genies, they can grant your every wish (within reason)!

– READ MORE: What to expect on new Royal Caribbean ship, Star of the Seas –

A key component to any good cruise (or holiday for that matter) is, of course, the drinks. So what’s included on Royal Caribbean cruises in terms of drinks packages, and how much do they each cost? Let’s take a look. 

First up is ‘The Classic Soft Drinks Package’. This will entitle you to unlimited fountain soft drinks and refills at any venue across the cruise line’s ships. You’ll also receive a Coca-Cola souvenir cup, plus Coca-Cola drinks. This comes in at $15pp per day. 

Next is the ‘Refreshment Package’. This includes pretty much every soft drink imaginable. In addition to unlimited fountain soda and soft drink refills, you’ll get mocktails, milkshakes, bottled water (still & sparkling), speciality coffees, teas and freshly squeezed juices all for $38pp per day. 

Finally, the ‘Deluxe Beverage Package’ will provide you with all of the above, plus alcoholic drinks galore. These include select cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, beers, and wines by the glass. It also means you receive 40 percent off bottles of wine under $100. This festival of drinks doesn’t come cheap, though. Prices depend on the ship, length of cruise and destination, and range from around $50-$115pp per day, so it’s worth weighing up whether you’ll really benefit from it.

To work out if a drinks package is worth it for you, it’s important to consider the price of individual drinks on Royal Caribbean (note: you shouldn’t expect the wallet-friendly prices found on cruise lines like P&O Cruises) as Royal Caribbean drinks prices can be fierce. We’ve outlined a guide below:

Pint of beer: £6.36 ($8.25)
Glass of wine: £7.00-10.80 ($9.00-14.00)
Cocktail: £10.80 ($14.00)
Mocktail: £5.50 ($7.00)
Coffee: £3.00 ($4.00)

When you consider all the soft drinks that are already included in the price when you book your cruise, plus the fact that you might only want a couple of drinks each night, you could well end up saving more by not booking a drinks package on Royal Caribbean.

– READ MORE: The complete guide to TUI River Cruises drinks –

Alas, no. No matter which package or suite you choose, Royal Caribbean excursions are not included in the price for any guests – they always cost extra.

Of course, every port destination is included in the price so you can roam around each place on your cruise for free, whether it’s the dreamy beaches of the Caribbean or the cobbled streets of European cities.

But if you want something guided, Royal Caribbean excursions offer everything from 4×4 off-roading and scuba diving to parasailing and even helicopter rides. The price of each excursion is dependent on the activity, but as a guide can range from £35pp up to £300pp.

Is the food on Royal Caribbean free? 

Royal Caribbean’s food is widely praised as being among the best for mainstream cruise lines, and with a minimum of five restaurants included in the ticket price, you need hardly worry about booking additional dining. Some guests do opt for a Royal Caribbean dining package for the full experience; however, if you’re sailing with this cruise line for the first time, or your itinerary is on the shorter side, it’s probably not worth it.

So, yes! You can easily cruise with Royal Caribbean without spending a penny on food. 

Do Royal Caribbean cruises include flights? 

While there is an option to book flights through Royal Caribbean, it is not included in the standard booking fare. To book a cruise that includes flights, guests must speak to a Royal Caribbean representative over the phone. 

A great way to book a zero-stress Royal Caribbean cruise that includes flights is through a travel agent. They receive the best deals across both flights and cruises, so it’s a total win-win. 

Find a selection of Royal Caribbean cruises that include flights, here.