2023 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide

Ready to plan the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise vacation in 2023?

It may come as a surprise to first-time cruisers just how much goes into planning a cruise vacation. Sure, you can plop yourself at the pool everyday and call that a great break, but in reality, Royal Caribbean offers its guests so many great things to see and do that it can be overwhelming without a plan.  

There is plenty you can learn before you take a Royal Caribbean cruise, and while planning requires a bit more time, the payoff is worth it.  After taking dozens of Royal Caribbean cruises, we have learned a lot, and try to distill it into something easy to absorb to make your planning easier.

Think of this post as “Royal Caribbean 101,” with everything organized into the most important considerations of planning a cruise. This page is a jumping off point to give you some background information on each aspect of the cruise, with a ton of links to other blog posts that offer much more detailed information.

What’s new for 2023

There wont be any new cruise ships debuting in 2023, but we’ll get very close to it.

Icon of the Seas will delivered in late 2023, with her first revenue sailing in January 2024.

Expect a lot of focus for Icon has she finishes construction on her way to start sailings.

Something that will open in 2023 is Hideaway Beach.

Royal Caribbean is expected to open its expansion of Perfect Day at CocoCay in late 2023. There isn’t a specific date yet, but it looks to be closer to the end of the year.

Few details are available on what this area will entail, but we do know it’s going to be an adults-only area.

Hideaway Beach will be complimentary, and located on the western end of the island adjacent to Thrill Waterpark.

Some other Royal Caribbean firsts for 2023 include:

• Wonder of the Seas will sail her first summer season in the Caribbean
• Harmony of the Seas calls Miami its summer home for the first time
• Brilliance of the Seas will make her Alaska debut

Covid Protocols

The cruise industry has rolled back most of its Covid protocols in order to keep it line with other forms of leisure travel.

It’s important to note that protocols can change at any time, but with few exceptions, there is no need to be vaccinated, take a pre-cruise covid test, or wear a mask onboard.

The exceptions currently are:

• Cruises from the U.S. and Caribbean that visit Colombia
• Transatlantic Cruises
• Cruises from Australia

You’ll want to check with Royal Caribbean before your cruise for the most up-to-date protocols. Keep in mind that protocols can change anytime, so check again in the days leading up to your cruise.

When to take a cruise

Many people are curious what time of the year is ideal for taking a cruise, as well as what the cheapest month to go on a cruise happens to be. There are many factors to the price of a cruise, including the month.

While we recommend the best times to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, considerations such as the school calendar, personal obligations, work schedule and more all narrow the window of time.  Still, it is important to be aware of the times of year to find lower cruise fares.

In general, you will find lower fares if you are willing to cruise during the “shoulder seasons” and/or when school is usually in session, such as these times of the year:

• January (minus New Years holiday)
• Most of February
• May
• September
• October
• First two weeks of November
• First two weeks of December

If you are looking for a cruise during other times of the year, the good news is Royal Caribbean will still run a fair share of promotions to help bring the cost down of its cruise. 

If you follow cruise prices over any length of time, you will likely notice a number of different offers.  Each offer may focus on discounting one aspect of the cruise fare over another, but the important thing to remember is in most countries, you can re-price up until final payment date in the event the price drops.

In short, there is no bad time of the year to take a Royal Caribbean cruise.  Sailings are designed to be entertainment for guests regardless of what the calendar may say.  It is important to know that there can be peaks and valleys, in terms of demand and crowds in the ports you will visit, but the cruise experience overall is great year-round.

How long of a cruise should you choose?

The length of the cruise you should take depends on what type of vacation you are considering.  Are you looking for a weekend escape, or do you want to get away from it all?

If this is your first cruise, I recommend going on a five to seven night sailing on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship. Shorter cruises go by so quickly that you have little to get acclimated to what a cruise is all about. Ultimately, the exact length of your cruise may depend on how much vacation time you have and which ports of call you are interested in visiting.

Plus, Oasis Class ships have some of the latest and greatest features across the fleet. This includes Central Park, rock-climbing wall, surf simulator, and water slides.

Quantum Class ships have their own assortment of signature areas and activities, such as North Star, SeaPlex, sky diving simulator, rock walls, and excellent youth programs.

By going with a slightly longer cruise, you will have the opportunity to really explore the ship and enjoy the experience.  Shorter cruises go by so quickly and for someone new to cruising, it may not provide enough time on ship or on shore to really get a sense of it all. Moreover, on a per-night basis, the cost of a cruise tends to be cheaper the longer the sailing. 

Royal Caribbean ships are designed to be destinations rather than just a floating hotel room, so you will want more time to experience it all.  I typically find cruises closer to a week in length provide a great balance of value, time and opportunity. It is understandable if you are at the mercy of work or school calendars, which limit how much time your cruise can be.

Speaking of vacation time and planning, you will want to pad your cruise vacation with at least one day before your cruise.  A very common mistake first timer cruisers make is to arrive the day of the cruise.  There are so many travel delays that can occur, so why put your cruise vacation at risk? 

People that cruise a lot will always fly in at least one day before their cruise leaves and that’s to avoid travel nightmares that the airlines are notorious for. Delays, weather and breakdowns happen consistently so don’t let those kind of inconveniences cause you to miss your cruise. Getting in a day early will give you plenty of time to get past any travel delays you encounter with the added bonus of beginning your vacation a day earlier!

How to choose a cruise ship

Royal Caribbean has many cruise ships that vary in size, offerings, and things to do onboard.

While Royal Caribbean’s ships tend to be big, there is enough variation among the different classes of ships to offer everyone a good choice.

These ships are not just built to be big, rather, they are built to be large enough to house all the really cool adventures that await you.  Looking back to our first way Royal Caribbean differentiates itself, all those innovative activities need to go somewhere and so Royal Caribbean has built its ships bigger and bigger to offer more and more to its guests.

Despite their size, Royal Caribbean designed these ships to be easy to get around. Each of the Oasis class ships has 7 distinct neighborhoods that have their own look and feel. The neighborhood concept makes getting around easier because areas of the ship do not blend into each other.

In fact, first timer cruisers might find the largest and newest Royal Caribbean ships to be an ideal pick because they offer the latest innovations, entertainment, technology and choices.

Perhaps you live somewhere where getting to an Oasis class ship is not practical or feasible, or you generally prefer smaller ships. There are lots of other great ships in the fleet to consider.  

First, are the Quantum class ships, which are also quite new but not quite as large as the Oasis class ships. It can be argued that Quantum class ships were designed with first time cruisers in mind.  Just like the Oasis class ships, the Quantum class ships offer a number of Royal Caribbean advancements and some of the finest dining and entertainment at sea.

The Voyager and Freedom class ships are slightly smaller, but offer an amazing value for large ships. They are also dispersed more widely than their larger cousins, and still offer a lot to see and do onboard. Many Royal Caribbean veterans love the Voyager and Freedom class ships for their well-proportioned size, dining choices and activities onboard. The “sweet spot” of Royal Caribbean pricing tends to fall right in with the Voyager and Freedom class ships because the newer ships have drawn much of the attention, and the other ship’s premium pricing means there are some really good deals to be found.

Radiance and Vision class ships make up the smallest ships in the fleet, but what they lack in size, they make up for in port variety, great value and beauty onboard.

To paraphrase the Jedi Master Yoda, judge not these ships by their size. While they may lack surf simulators and bumper cars, they make up for in classic cruise experience. These smaller ships can get to ports of call that larger ships cannot, as well as offer a more intimate experience in relationship with your fellow guests. Not to mention, these smaller ships also come with a lower price tag! There is absolutely nothing wrong with these ships, but it is worth understanding what these ships offer (and do not offer) onboard when picking the right ship for you.

In terms of those that are new to cruising, I recommend an Oasis- or Quantum-class cruise ship because they offer the most options and seem to match up well with what first time cruisers expect on a cruise ship.  Even if you have never taken a cruise before, these two classes of ships offer the kind of impressive features that many first timers read about being on the latest cruise ships.

Some of the best value these days are in the recently amplified ships that received major new upgrades, but still retain a lower average price than newer ships in the fleet. Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and more that have gotten work done since the Royal Amplified program began in 2018 are excellent choices as well.

Many people ask me what is the worst Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but the reality is every ship has its merits, so it is really a question of what do you want the ship to have onboard, and does the ship you are considering have that.

Which cabin to book

Which room type is right for you is another major consideration in picking the right cruise.

There are four basic types of cruise cabins:

• Inside
• Ocean view
• Balcony
• Suites

Royal Caribbean prices its cabins based on double occupancy, which means even if you want to sail alone, you’re going to end up paying double.

When choosing your cabin, you’ll have two cruise rates to pick between: refundable cruise fare and non-refundable cruise fare. 

Refundable cruise fare will cost more, but allow you to get a full cash refund if you decide to cancel or change plans before the final payment date.

Non-refundable cruise fare will save money on the total cost, but there is a change fee if you cancel or swap to a different sailing.

I recommend booking refundable cruise fare for peace of mind in case you change your mind later on, even if it will cost you more compared to non-refundable fares.

More than likely which cabin you want to book will depend on your budget, how many people are traveling with you, and personal preferences.

Balcony rooms are the most popular category, with Royal Caribbean dedicating more cabins to balcony rooms than in the past.

Read more: Interior vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise

How to book your cruise

When you are ready to make your Royal Caribbean cruise, you can certainly reserve your stateroom via RoyalCaribbean.com, which offers a simple, yet robust means of choosing your ship, stateroom and dining preferences.

The best way to find and book the right cruise for you is by using a travel agent. Imagine having someone with a wealth of knowledge about Royal Caribbean that can help you with your particular circumstances, preferences, and needs. That is what a good travel agent provides. It is a back-and-forth dialogue, and they are there to hold your hand and give you personalized advice.

If you go this route, look for a travel agent who primarily or exclusively does Royal Caribbean related bookings. Travel agents that specialize in Royal Caribbean are often fans of the cruise line too and enjoy planning their own trips and want to share their knowledge with others.

When you seek out a travel agent, an agent with great knowledge of Royal Caribbean is critical to helping you have a better cruise experience. Royal Caribbean has spent an incredible amount of time and resources to help educate agents in what Royal Caribbean offers and it all ends up benefiting you.

Most travel agents specializing in Royal Caribbean are “no fee” agencies, which means it costs you absolutely nothing extra to book the cruise reservation from them (Royal Caribbean pays the travel agent a commission). Here is one such recommended travel agency that specializes in Royal Caribbean. If you are not convinced using a free travel agency that is recommended by Royal Caribbean is right for you, read our post discussing the benefits they offer.

What to pack

Whether you are new to cruising or not, what to pack (and not pack) can be quite a challenge. In fact, it might sound hard to believe, but I hear from a lot of guests that packing anxiety is a major concern. Packing correctly can save you time and money, and improve your overall experience.

There is sometimes a great deal of anxiety about trying to understand what to wear on a Royal Caribbean cruise and then packing properly. The good news is cruising these days is a far cry from the “old days” of cruising in the last century when ball gowns and tuxedos with tails and top hats.  While there is still formal nights, Royal Caribbean is pretty open about what you can wear throughout the cruise but at dinner time, there’s still a few elements of formality left to consider.  And for those that don’t want to dress up beyond t-shirts and shorts, Royal Caribbean has options for you as well.

We have spent a lot of time scouring the internet for packing lists, packing ideas, (and sometimes divine intervention) to know what is important to bring.  Everyone’s definition of what is important will vary, but we go over the really important things that no cruise is complete without in this important things to pack for your Royal Caribbean cruise post.

There are some objectively important items that everyone needs to have with them on their cruise, or the cruise will not happen.  

• Passport
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccine
• Pre-cruise Covid test results
• SetSail Pass (via your Royal Caribbean app)
• Credit card
• Travel insurance documentation (if purchased)
• Cash in the form of small bills for tipping

Yes, we did say you should get a passport, because it is the best travel investment you can make. Having a passport safeguards you and your family in the event of a travel emergency overseas.  If you were to be stranded outside the country with anything but a passport, it would present a very big problem for you.  Instead, get a passport and ensure your family will navigate any situation with the greatest of ease.

You might of also heard about dress codes on Royal Caribbean ships, and we are going to share with you a secret about them.

You do not have to dress up at all.

Dress codes pertain to what guests must wear if they elect to dine in certain restaurants on the ship. Anywhere else, there is no dress code, and that means it is far simpler to prepare for life onboard a ship. It really is up to you how dressed up or not dressed up, you wish to be.

The only places you will need to adjust what you wear is in select restaurants.  The main dining room has a dress code for every night, which is stipulated in Royal Caribbean’s daily newsletter, the Cruise Compass.  It varies from casual to formal and applies to dinner only.  

For breakfast and lunch, the main dining room has a less stringent dress code of no swimsuits, hats, tank tops or other pool clothing.

The specialty restaurants always have a dress code that falls somewhere between casual and formal that Royal Caribbean calls “smart casual”.  Royal Caribbean defines it as, “jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women. Other complimentary restaurants such as the Windjammer or Cafe Promenade simply require shoes and a shirt. 

What to pre-purchase before your cruise

Right after booking a cruise, Royal Caribbean allows guests to register their cruise on their My Cruises section of the Royal Caribbean web site and manage their reservation, with the option of booking dining, entertainment and other purchases prior to the cruise.  Often, not all options are available for pre-booking and it leaves some guests wondering when they can do it. 

The best reason to book certain activities, entertainment and dining in advance is to guarantee a spot for you and your family, as well as break up the total cost of the cruise. There is limited capacity for shows, dining and other activities and Royal Caribbean tends to offer guests the option of reserving them prior to their cruise. By booking these activities early, you can ensure you have the time and day that you want all lined up.

Royal Caribbean provides a number of options to pre-purchase, but that does not mean you necessarily have to book it prior to stepping onboard. There are, however, some value to pre-purchasing some of these options, provided they are of interest to you.

If you are wondering when can you prebook these items, the simple answer is it depends, but eventually, the Cruise Planner will provide anything that can be reserved prior to a cruise. Here are the things you ought to book in advance, assuming you were going to get them to begin with (meaning, do not purchase a drink package if you had no interest in one before).

The drink and internet packages available via the Cruise Planner are quite often discounted significantly more than onboard the ship. In fact, the discounts available in the Cruise Planner regularly outperform any savings from booking them onboard. In addition, pre-booking means you will split up the total cost of the cruise because payment will be required at the time of booking. If one person in a cabin purchases an unlimited alcohol package, all others in the cabin aged 21 and over must purchase a package.   This may or may not be a problem for you, but it is important to be aware of the change.

Specialty restaurants are a bit more ambiguous in terms of having an advantage to pre-booking.  Discounts are far rarer than the drink and internet packages, and availability at specialty restaurants if one chooses to book them onboard is quite large.  Unless you have to dine at a particular restaurant, on a particular date and time, then you can wait to get onboard the ship and spend your onboard credit.

Anything else available for pre-booking presents little to no advantage to booking in advance. In fact, the Vitality Spa treatments are something I do not advocate booking in advance because there are so many spa specials available only onboard that you might be overpaying without first considering those. Shore excursions are also something that is not required to be booked prior to your cruise, unless there is a particular trip that you absolutely want to experience and would be upset if it was filled up, there is little incentive to pre-purchase shore excursions.  A good reason to wait to book an excursion with Royal Caribbean is to evaluate the weather closer to the date you will actually be there.

Where to eat on your cruise

In short, there are a lot of places to dine while onboard your cruise.  If you are hungry during your cruise, then you will not have to go very far to remedy that situation. Royal Caribbean offers a wealth of food to try, some of which is included in your cruise fare and some other options that have an additional cost.

When you book your cruise, you will have the option of picking traditional dining or My Time Dining.  Each has its benefits, so be sure to compare My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining along side your own preferences to know which option will work the best.

Specialty dining is an emerging trend aboard their ships, where guests may elect to pay extra to dine at one of these restaurants. Each specialty restaurant is focused on a particular cuisine or food style that is often not available onboard the ship.

In terms of understanding how dining works and which areas cost extra and what is included, check out our guide to Royal Caribbean food as a good starting point. We also have an overview of what’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare to lay out exactly what costs extra and what does not.

While I do believe you can go an entire cruise without spending a dime on food that is not included with your fare (and be quite content), I do advocate guests try a specialty restaurant or two for the terrific quality and service provided.  Specialty dining has become a focal point of the cruise experience, and it is a great way to enhance the cruise experience.  Just like opting to go out for dinner instead of cooking dinner at home, a specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean ships is a fun reward to yourself.

What else to do

There is so much more you can see and do on a Royal Caribbean cruise.  Of course, the ports you will visit are a major attraction for any sailing.  Swimming, exploring history, learning a new skill, and shopping are just some of the typical activities in most excursions.  If we tried to list it all, we would likely come up with a list even longer than this blog post!

The key to any good day in port is centered around educating yourself about all the options available, and nuances of the port you are visiting.  All too often, we see guests simply disembarking the cruise ship in port and then trying to figure out what to do.  The internet is a wealth of information on every port you will visit.

Shore excursions are a major part of any Royal Caribbean cruise because a large part of your overall vacation is exploring the ports of call you will visit. You have just a few hours at each stop, but it should be enough to get a taste of the city you are visiting. Check out our guide to picking the perfect shore excursion, and be on your way to nailing down some great plans in every port of call.

Here are some other posts that cover “other stuff” on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and other ways to improve your vacation that do not really fit in the categories above:

Another way to get help (and build anticipation for!) your Royal Caribbean vacation is to join the Royal Caribbean Blog Message Boards. There are a lot of friendly folks who post in the forums, and they can offer their opinions and ideas on all things cruising. 

Remember, this blog post is just a starting point.  You will want to read our Getting Started section for a great array of hand-selected posts that are perfect for someone looking to jump into planning their first cruise. 

Our First Time Cruisers series of blog posts is also a great primer for someone new to cruising and/or Royal Caribbean.  Want to know where to eat? Our Specialty Restaurant reviews will help!

These are just a few of many posts mentioned in this article that will provide the foundation for your planning…but these 3 other posts are probably the most important of the bunch!

If all of this is still overwhelming or you want personalized recommendations for a Royal Caribbean cruise, click here to get a vacation quote from a no fee travel agent that specializes in Royal Caribbean.

Your Thoughts

Are you taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023? If you are a Royal Caribbean veteran, what tips would you add to this? If you’re a first-timer, is there anything else you’d like to know? We love hearing from readers, whether it be questions from newbies or tips from seasoned Royal Caribbean pros with tips of their own to add!