If you've been following our blog lately, you know that we recently went on a Mediterranean cruise with Freedom of the Seas. But how does it really work to cruise with Royal Caribbean? We were total novices when it comes to cruising and it took us some time to grasp the concept. Now we can answer the most important questions (we hope). Plus, we can offer a discount code if you're keen to book a cruise yourself!
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Which people tick?
All kinds of people cruise! Who is on the ship probably depends on the ship, the time of year and the route. On our cruise (departing from Barcelona) there were mostly Spaniards, but also Americans and other Europeans. On our particular ship there were quite a few families with children, but also couples of different ages, retirees and larger groups of adults.
Which ship to choose?
This might be a bit important we think! We were travelling on a ship that had quite a big focus on adventurous and active activities (although there were also restaurants, shower, wine tastings and spas). Other ships may focus more on food or relaxation, for example. Do some research to find a ship that suits you! Here are some tips (which we got from Royal Caribbean):
- The majority of ships have different "areas", for example with sports activities or quieter pool areas with an age limit of 16 years.
- It's not necessarily the biggest ships that are the busiest. There can be quieter places, like 'Central Park' - an outdoor area with 12,000 plants and trees, restaurants and bars.
- The largest ships offer unique entertainment such as a full-scale Broadway show or a live orchestra and a 25-person gathering.
- The smaller ships, such as Rhapsody of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas, tend to have a quieter atmosphere and an older audience.
- Cruise routes longer than seven days generally have a slightly older audience.
How do meals work?
On our cruise, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) were included in the price. some restaurants. We had a standing table for dinner at an a la carte restaurant, and could choose a few other places at no extra cost. Breakfast could be taken in two different restaurants or in the room/balcony. In addition, there were a number of restaurants that not were included in the price, but which you could choose to pay for.
How does it work with drinks?
Most Royal Caribbean cruises include water, lemonade from a vending machine and coffee and tea in some areas, but no other drinks. Either you buy a drink package, or you pay per occasion. The drink package that included alcohol cost about 500 SEK / day on our cruise and then included largely free drinks and free drinks throughout the day (a few exceptions).
If you buy drinks per occasion instead, prices are similar to those in Sweden. If you book cruises with Royal Caribbean's sister company Celebrity Cruises, the drink package is included in virtually all bookings.
How do transfers and excursions work?
Every time our ship stopped in a port, you were helped to get off the ship and to the appropriate place in the port, sometimes by boat or bus. You could then choose whether to book a guided tour with Royal Caribbean or travel on your own.
Where we stayed close to an interesting city, it was easy to travel on your own. In cases where the harbour was further away, it felt a little more "stressful". Then you can choose between getting up in good time and planning well or booking an organised tour, which you pay extra for. Read about our stops in Marseille, Nice and The Spezia.
What is the cost of cruising with Royal Caribbean?
Prices for a cruise vary greatly depending on the ship, time of year, length of cruise and so on. It would therefore be foolish for us to quote prices, and it is better for you to check for yourself at Royal Caribbean website. What is good to check is of course what is included and what is not!
Our basic booking included the cruise itself, all meals, activities and shows, and the shore excursion. What wasn't included (but you could pay extra for) were drinks, excursions, WiFi and things like spa treatments.
How to pay?
When we boarded we were given a "seapass". We used this for just about everything, and there was no point going anywhere without it. Firstly, we used it to identify ourselves when getting on and off the ship, but we also used it to record expenses beyond what was included in the cruise.
When you got off the boat, you checked out, much like in a hotel, and paid what you owed. It was not possible to pay by card or cash on board.
How to dress?
The dress code may be slightly different on different cruises. On our ship it was very casual during the day (simple summer clothes) and a little more dressed up in the evening. One of the evenings, when it was the Captain's dinner, it was the really dressed up. This evening the women had glittery gala dresses that dragged on the ground (ok not all, but it was dressed up anyway!). The other nights it was a bit more casual, but maybe not foppa slippers 😉.
Our co-operation with Royal Caribbean
To be clear: Our cooperation with Royal Caribbean is based on the fact that we travelled on a press trip where we were paid for the basic package in order to write about it. We have paid for flights, excursions and extra costs in addition to the package itself. As usual, we write honestly about everything and in this post we have tried to be as clear as possible about how a cruise works.
We travelled on a great ship and we believe that cruising is for many - but not for everyone. If you want to go on a cruise, be sure to find a route and ship that suits you. By the way: If you book via our discount code, we don't make any money from this. It is only an offer that we pass on via Royal Caribbean.
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Across the board says:
Exciting to see how it works and may well think with a cruise in the future. However, someone else may use the discount. I save my holidays for next year and do something really really fun then instead ☺.
16 September 2017 - 7:44
Helena says:
Well, that's the thing about holidays ... I have to deal with that too ... 😉 .
16 September 2017 - 11:19
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
You have really made a great summary of how a cruise works! Thank you for it!
Here still a divided attitude to the phenomenon "cruise" and it feels like it is not our thing (but who knows????).
16 September 2017 - 8:52
Helena says:
I'm glad you liked our compilation! And of course you have to feel like cruising to spend money on it.
16 September 2017 - 11:23
Husis blog says:
This was a very good summary according to the owner. But he also says that their holiday days are not enough for everything (maybe not the money either?). But with their other trips abroad this winter, they can save the other trips until I am taken out again next year. But first I will get to enjoy a little more before I am put into the winter side.
16 September 2017 - 9:22
Helena says:
I recognise that the holiday days should be enough ... Hope you get some more nice trips! Today the weather is fantastic, at least here with us 🙂.
16 September 2017 - 11:24
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Interesting to read and see how it works. Have met a man who travelled a lot on Cruise ships. 1000 SEK day/person was what to look for. Remember when I was in 17-19 years it was one of the guys who went on a cruise.
I have travelled half of the Göta Canal and it was nice too and then to Åland of course.
16 September 2017 - 9:38
Helena says:
How much you spend depends a lot on whether you book excursions and so on, and of course how you want to live on board. Göta Kanal sounds nice!
16 September 2017 - 11:26
Lisa / life from the bright side says:
Great summary!
We are going to the Caribbean for the second time in a month, and I have also made a press trip with RCCL. Now the trip, like the first, is completely on my own initiative and wallet so yes - even though I am far from a charter person but want to discover and experience, I really like the cruise concept.
16 September 2017 - 9:41
Helena says:
Glad you like the summary! It took us some time to realise how everything was connected, so we thought our info might be useful for others. Lovely with a Caribbean cruise! 🙂
16 September 2017 - 11:27
Ruth in Virginia says:
Just a reminder: Hurricane Irma has made serious progress in the Caribbean.
Hope your landings take place on islands, which are not
became too damaged.
16 September 2017 - 14:25
Peter Olsson says:
There was a lot to take in
It's really important to make sure you get the right cruise.
Thanks for another great report
With kind regards,
Peter Olsson
16 September 2017 - 9:44
Helena says:
Glad to hear you liked our report, Peter!
16 September 2017 - 11:44
LinizTravel says:
Wildly wonderful summary 🙂 must convince the husband only! Also want to go cruising 🙂 nice trip to Greece! Hugs
16 September 2017 - 9:55
Helena says:
Hehe, you'll have to find some good strategy to persuade him 😉 Peter is in Greece now and I'm home in the boat!
16 September 2017 - 12:15
Ditte says:
I think you have made a great compilation and recognise myself in much. . However, we have, all times except one, chosen some "smaller ships" for our cruises and have been very happy with it. But if I am like our friends Ama and Anders on a cruise for almost two months, from England to Australia, I would probably choose a larger ship. (Think it rocks less ...)
But a cruise from time to time is nice.
16 September 2017 - 10:21
Helena says:
It's good that there are a few different ships to choose from, depending on what you're looking for...!
16 September 2017 - 12:16
Snows says:
Interesting to read about how it works. It seems very well thought out but I still don't think cruising is an option for me....
16 September 2017 - 11:05
Helena says:
Certainly not suitable for everyone ...
16 September 2017 - 16:27
Ama de casa says:
Interesting reading! The description fits very well with how it has been and worked even on our cruises with another company. Guess it's about the same concept on most.
Easy and simple with those cruise cards, I think. You can easily follow up the costs via the free "internwiffit" on the boat (where you only accessed the boat's programme and the shipping company's website).
Do you think you can imagine any more cruises in the future? We ourselves became completely stuck even though we "normally" prefer to travel around on our own 😉.
16 September 2017 - 11:08
Helena says:
I can also imagine that there are similar concepts on other companies, but some things may be a little different, what do I know? Cruise cards are convenient, especially if you can follow up and keep track of the costs!
And yes, we can imagine cruising again! But in that case, it would be fun with the Caribbean, or something exotic like Greenland maybe, haha. Or I would like to try a boat that feels a little calmer and more for just adults 😉.
16 September 2017 - 16:29
Alexandra says:
Thanks for a great post! Would love to go on a big ship with extra everything and lots of active activities - and the daughter would probably love it! Do you know if any ships have a children's club or similar?
16 September 2017 - 11:22
Helena says:
Yes, I quickly checked with Royal Caribbean and yes, they have children's clubs divided for different ages, Most things are included and the tip is to visit the children's club at the beginning, so the children meet new friends 🙂 The children's clubs are in English.
16 September 2017 - 16:31
Emma, sun like sun? says:
That was very good information! Would like to try a shorter trip sometime, just to see if it's even something that fits. I travelled 24 hours to Gothenburg-London but then I was 14 years old so I don't think it can be compared. There are many interesting routes here around the Mediterranean.
16 September 2017 - 12:03
Helena says:
Must be even easier when you are on site at the Mediterranean and do not have to travel as far as the start! 🙂
16 September 2017 - 16:32
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Exactly!
17 September 2017 - 18:14
Pilla says:
Great to read about your cruise. My parents go twice a year with RC and have done so for the last ten years, they have tried to entice me but still feel sceptical. Maybe one day...
16 September 2017 - 14:38
Helena says:
Nice that your parents usually go! Let's see if they manage to attract you on occasion then 😉.
16 September 2017 - 16:33
Elisabeth says:
There are many varieties of cruising. We cruised this spring for the first time. Then with Costa Crusies and it was really good!
16 September 2017 - 15:58
Helena says:
Glad you had a good cruise experience! 🙂
16 September 2017 - 16:35
BP says:
The compilation was really good:-)
There is little to say about the price of the cruise itself, as all meals were included. 1 400 employees also have to live. 500 SEK/day for alcoholic drinks is ridiculous. That Swedish prices apply otherwise - well, as I said, the staff must be paid...
That wifi is not included in the price, which it does not seem to be on any cruise variant surprises me. It is still 2017 ...
16 September 2017 - 18:28
Helena says:
Glad you appreciate our compilation. We never bought the drink package because we only drank some wine for dinner (and then maybe some beer on land). But many people probably buy the package on the first day (or in connection with the booking) and then you do not have to think more about it later ..., I think the most important thing is perhaps that you are prepared for the prices so you can make a decision about what you think is worth. I do not know if wi-fi is extra expensive at sea? But otherwise agree, it's 2017 and wi-fi you want to have all the time ðŸ™'
17 September 2017 - 6:19
Annette says:
Now I am very divided ... Our girls, of course, stuck to the film from the cruise ship, as expected 🙂 I myself can imagine renting a motorhome for the first time and driving down in Europe with the final station France (again, we do not get enough 😉 ) and keep the costs down compared to constantly eating out and staying in hotels, or booking a cruise from Venice with stops in Croatia and Greece, among others. At the same time, it's fun to drive around and stay in different places. All these choices 🙂
16 September 2017 - 19:55
Helena says:
What a difficult choice! I myself love a motorhome, so it is always a good choice I think 😉 You have the freedom to do as you want and can, as I said, keep many costs down. But a cruise from Venice with stops in Greece and Croatia also sounds wonderful !!!! 🙂 Many things to be weighed for and against I understand ...!
17 September 2017 - 6:24
Rosita says:
Super good and concrete description Helena. It´s a jungle out there 😉 And I am sure there is a cruise for everyone - it is "just" to find the right shipping company, ship and cruise route. Within Royal Caribbean Cruises, for example, there is another brand: Azamara Club Cruises. It is probably unlike any other cruise product. More destination experiences - smaller ships (less than 700 guests on board). Someday I hope to cruise with Azmara Club Cruises.
18 September 2017 - 21:21
Lena - good for the soul says:
Seems like a great way to go on one of those cruises!
Hug Lena
28 September 2017 - 19:20